The United Kingdom has opened its first food waste supermarket, where items are priced on a “pay as you feel” basis, and it’s already helping needy families.
The supermarket opened in the English town of Pudsey, near Leeds, The Independent reported. The store features food thrown out by supermarkets and other businesses.
Food Waste campaigners from the Real Junk Food were responsible for “the warehouse” project, which one woman called a “lifeline” for her family.
Kristy Rhodes was recently diagnosed with a chronic pain condition, leaving her husband to take over most of the care for their three children. Their household income was reduced to almost nothing, she said.
“With three young children and two adults to feed we started to struggle right away,” she said. “Luckily, we took the plunge to go to the warehouse, and it was amazing.”
The family has been able to buy fresh pasta, juice, deserts, fruits and vegetables. On one occasion, they were even able to find baby milk for their 7-month-old.
Rhodes plans to create a workshop to teach people how to make jam after using fruit from the warehouse to make her own.
Founder of Real Junk Food Adam Smith said he plans to open a warehouse in every city in the U.K.
The Real Junk Food also has a project called Fuel for School, which delivers surplus bread, fruits, vegetables and dairy products from supermarkets to schools.
The company is also working on a pay-as-you-feel café, where diners will be able to pay for their meal in money, time and skills.
Great idea!