Bengaluru is witnessing a surge in initiatives aimed at reducing food wastage and ensuring that surplus food reaches those in need. A political event in HSR Layout, canceled due to rain, turned into an opportunity to feed 100 children at a nearby slum. The leftover breakfast of idlis, kesari bath, and khara pongal was distributed by Younes Matheen, head of Helping Heroes India Foundation (HHIF). Matheen’s non-profit collects excess food from restaurants, food processing units, and community events, ensuring it doesn’t go to waste but instead reaches the city’s underserved.
Similarly, the Robin Hood Army (RHA), which has been tackling food wastage for over 10 years, feeds 1,000-1,500 people from low-income communities every week. Volunteers like Shivakumar Bhadraiah, who has been working for 30 years, collect surplus food from wedding halls and caterers and distribute it to those in need.
Additionally, the app Bee The Change offers a sustainable solution by selling surplus food from bakeries and cafes at a third of the original price, making it available to students and professionals concerned about sustainability. However, challenges remain, especially in dealing with food from hotels and tech parks due to hygiene concerns and internal policies. Despite these hurdles, efforts continue to connect excess food with those who need it most.
Groups like HHIF and RHA provide crucial support to low-income families, beggars, and homeless people, ensuring that surplus food is not wasted but instead nourishes those who need it most.
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