The OCG launches the 'Erntenetzwerk' ('Harvest Network), a new project to fight food waste: producers, volunteers and customers alike can reduce the waste of perfectly edible fruit and vegetables. This is an initiative where everyone can benefit.
During their first action in September 2017, one ton of pumpkins were 'saved'. The second action was geared towards sweet potatoes. The OGG Bern is now looking for more participants!
Photo: OGG
In Switzerland, one third of all food products goes to waste. Even though the largest part takes place in private households, at least 13% of food waste takes place in agriculture. This concerns products that do not meet the high quality standards of the industry, or are overproduced products that cannot be sold to traders. That way, many edible potatoes remain on the potato fields after the harvest period.
It also happens that entire vegetable fields have to be ploughed because there is nobody to supply those to. In addition, fruit trees that appear in cities and in the countryside, that supply large amounts of good apples and pears for direct consumption or cider, should be harvested, but this is often too expensive for the owners.
On the other hand, new groups and companies pop up that specifically sell or process so-called food waste fruit or vegetables. Many people are against food waste and want to start taking action in order to provide sustainable food.
At the end of September, for the first time, three groups of people came together and the first harvest took place. Volunteers harvested one ton of Hokkaido pumpkins that were slightly damaged as well as more products that did not make the cut. The harvest was sold to several companies for a low price and is now being processed or sold further. However, the producers benefited as well. They enjoyed the important activities in the fresh air together with like-minded people and were allowed to keep part of the harvest.
During the second action in mid October, sweet potatoes that were initially not selected were given directly to companies.
Since September 2017, the OGG in Bern has organised a pilot project of the 'Harvest Network' and has acted as intermediary between the producers, volunteers and customers.
They are looking for participants in and around Bern, Switzerland:
- Owners of non-cultivated fruit trees and farmers with unharvested fields
- Motivated individuals and groups for volunteer harvesting projects
- Restaurants, supermarkets and food processing companies
Tel: 0041 31 560 68 06
Email: [email protected]
Annekathrin Jezler, Project leader Soil & Food:
Tel: 0041 31 560 68 05
Email: [email protected]
OGG Bern,
Erlachstrasse 5
3001 Bern, 031 560 68 00
www.ogg.ch