Sharing is caring, as the young folks say.
BuurtBuik is all about sharing food with your neighbors. We cook meals from food that would be wasted otherwise. Thereby, bringing people together around a free three course meal and build their social network. It impacts both environmental and social goals, thus, bridging the gap to a circular social economy. Come around a see it in action, we feed 500 people three course meals every week!
BuurtBuik social circulair foodinitiative
What is the goal of the project?
We focus on food waste, social isolation and poverty. Our positive impact is through eating food that would otherwise be wasted, bringing people together around a free three course meal. The issue is that about one in five persons are living in poverty, one in six is experiencing social isolation, and 30% of produced food is wasted. This needs to be solved, now not tomorrow.
What is the result of the project?
We have, currently, saved 100.000 kg food, served about 200.000 meals to about 500 people each week. The city benefits by providing the help people need in a circular manner.
Who initiated the project and which organizations are involved?
Roel Raterink started BuurtBuik in 2014 after seeing a similar concept in Portugal. We work together with neighborhood centers and numerous food distributors such as supermarkets and restaurants.
What is the next step?
We are looking forward to 2020 in which we aim to expand our work to the City centre of Amsterdam and other interested cities.
What can other cities learn from your project?
Enabling neighborhoods works if you allow them to succeed. People power can achieve great success. However, be watchful for common pitfalls. Trust the people to do what is needed.
