Save the Lunch

There are 72,000 meals left at the end of the day in company canteens in Czechia, which are thrown away and with them the energy invested in their production and processing. We rescue surplus meals by connecting donors (canteens) with nearby charities that give the meals to their clients. The canteens provide the meals free of charge in returnable boxes. We use existing logistics services for transportation and design the project to be able to operate as efficiently and with the smallest carbon footprint as possible. In this way, the project helps people in need while reducing food waste.

In the context of the current economic crisis, the number of people in difficult life situations visiting charities is increasing. In most cases, charities are unable to provide these people with nutritional food; often, they eat only bread and canned food. On the other hand, large amount of valuable food is thrown away when company canteens close daily. 

The project aims to use resources efficiently, prevent waste and help people in need by providing quality food. Save the Lunch has clarified gastronomy donation conditions in Czechia which have been neglected due to unclear legislation regulating the handling of cooked food. The project motivates and connects canteens with surpluses to charities, and manages the process. 

For the clients of charities, the donation of a wholesome meal is a welcome service that is seen as motivation for personal development. Clients are also motivated to overcome the difficulties of life. On the part of the food donors, the project expresses gratitude for the saving and charity donation.  

Save the Lunch has managed to feed over 14,000 people in the past year by transporting leftover food from four company canteens to four nearby charities. A B2B app was created, in cooperation with volunteers, aimed at recording donated meals numbers. In 2023 the project aims to expand to 14 participating canteens and 20,000 people fed, marking a growing network. 

Unified national legislation means that the principle of donation can be implemented in other towns in Czechia where charities exist. Logistics is one element which must be tailored to specifics of the region.