Taking advantage of products that do not meet the standards required by traditional markets has proven to be a way to reduce food waste, which reaches 14% of world production – the equivalent of US$ 400 billion, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization ( United Nations Organization).
In Brazil, NGOs (non-governmental organizations) have joined the strategy to distribute food to low-income people, while companies are betting on the niche as a form of sustainable enterprise.
Mercado Different, for example, invests in partnership with small regional producers in order to rescue foods considered non-standard by large retail chains. The company was born in February 2022 and operates online in the city of São Paulo.
The idea is that the consumer chooses which fruits and vegetables of the season he wants to receive in the basket. “All fresh and no frills”, says the slogan, since many foods can be seen as “ugly” for those who are used to the products selected by supermarkets.
Juliana Campos, 35, is one of the partners. She and her family plant organics on a property in the process of being securitized by Incra (National Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform) in Congonhinhas, in northern Paraná.
The farmer says that there are standards for size, weight and color for each food. In the organic market, for example, a tomato must have between 90g and 220g. A zucchini cannot be smaller than 15 cm or larger than 20 cm.
She estimates that she managed to reduce production waste by 40% by selling foods that do not fit traditional requirements through Mercado Different.
“It helped us as a producer and I believe it helped the final consumer, who pays cheaper. It is an extremely high quality product, perfect for consumption”, says Campos.
Food to Save is a company that takes advantage of production and food surpluses close to their expiration date from partner establishments – as long as they are ready to be consumed. The products are marketed and gain a new purchase opportunity with up to 70% off for the final consumer.
The company estimates to have avoided that more than 50 tons of food were discarded in São Paulo, Campinas and Grande ABC in less than a year of operation.
Popularly known as “vencidinhos”, shops that sell products close to expiration (and charge less than the large chains) have become popular in the outskirts of Greater São Paulo in the face of escalating inflation in recent years.
“We want to revolutionize food waste in the country and also make more people have access to good food, and if we can do this in a more sustainable way and helping the environment, why not?” director and co-founder of startupLucas Infante.
The sale of these products is done through “surprise bags”, which can be purchased via delivery or withdrawn directly at the chosen establishments. Orders can be placed via the website or via the app.
Founded in 1998, the NGO Banco de Alimentos collects and redistributes food that has already lost its shelf value in commerce or industry, but is still fit for consumption. Instead of discarding vegetables, pasta, fruits, among others, the partners donate the surplus to the NGO, which passes everything on to social entities registered in the city of São Paulo.
“I have been fighting hunger and food waste for years in a climate of perseverance and a constructive attitude, alerting and educating about the role of everyone in building the reality we want to have”, says Luciana Quintão, president and founder of Banco de Alimentos.
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