Why Food Saving Matters

Globally, about one-third of all food produced is wasted, and Berlin is no exception. Supermarkets, bakeries, and restaurants often have surplus food that doesn’t meet commercial standards but is still perfectly edible. Food saving helps:

• Reduce environmental impact by preventing waste from going to landfills.
• Support local communities by redistributing food to those who can use it.
• Foster awareness about mindful consumption.

By becoming a foodsaver, you’re joining a movement that not only fights food waste but also strengthens Berlin’s ethos of sustainability and sharing.

What is Foodsharing.de?

Foodsharing.de is an online platform that organizes and empowers volunteers to save food. The platform allows individuals to pick up surplus food from participating businesses and distribute it to others—or enjoy it themselves.
The platform is entirely volunteer-driven, making it a true community effort. Users can become foodsavers and help reduce waste at both an individual and systemic level.

How to Become a Foodsaver in Berlin

Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting started:

1. Sign Up on Foodsharing.de
Visit Foodsharing.de and create a free account. You’ll need to provide some basic information and agree to the platform’s mission to avoid food waste responsibly.
2. Complete the Quiz
To ensure everyone on the platform understands the guidelines and principles, Foodsharing.de requires new users to complete a quiz. The quiz covers:

• Proper handling of food.
• Safety protocols.
• Ethical guidelines for distributing food.

Don’t worry—it’s not difficult, and resources are available to help you prepare.
3. Join an Introduction Meeting (Kennlern-Treffen)
Once you pass the quiz, the next step is attending an introduction meeting, or Kennlern-Treffen. These meetings are hosted by experienced foodsavers and provide an opportunity to:

• Learn the logistics of food saving.
• Get to know the local community.
• Ask questions about the process.

Meetings are held regularly in Berlin and can be found on the Foodsharing.de website.
4. Complete a Test Pick-Up
After the meeting, you’ll be invited to participate in a test pick-up. This is your chance to shadow an experienced foodsaver during a food collection from a business. It’s a hands-on way to:

• Learn how to interact with businesses.
• Understand how to sort and handle the collected food.
• Practice ethical distribution.

5. Start Saving Food!
Once you’ve successfully completed your test pick-up, you’ll be a certified foodsaver! You can now:

• Participate in food pick-ups on your own or with others.
• Use the platform to find available pick-ups across Berlin.
• Contribute to the local food saving community.