The Power of Sharing: Learn & Educate
Understand the impact of food waste in Seychelles and the importance of safe food handling.
1. Food Waste in Seychelles
As a small island nation heavily reliant on **tourism and imports**, Seychelles faces unique challenges regarding food logistics and waste. Large hospitality sectors often result in significant surplus, while simultaneously, vulnerable communities struggle with **food insecurity**.
When edible food is thrown away, it's not just food that is wasted—it's also the energy, water, fuel, and labor used to produce and transport it across our islands. Diverting this food helps reduce waste and lowers the **national environmental footprint**.
Fact: Reducing food waste is one of the most effective ways to combat climate change and increase community resilience in island environments.
2. Food Safety & Donation Guidelines
Safety is the top priority for Foodshare Seychelles. We adhere to strict standards to ensure every meal shared is safe and nutritious.
Donor Checklist: Before You List Food
- Food must be fit for human consumption and within its "use by" date (where applicable).
- Cooked food must be cooled rapidly (within 2 hours) and clearly marked with its preparation date.
- Packaging must be secure, clean, and tamper-proof.
- Allergen information and ingredients must be provided where possible.
Claimant (Recipient) Responsibility
When you claim food, you are responsible for its immediate safe handling. Follow these steps:
- **Transport Promptly:** Collect the food as close to the agreed-upon time as possible.
- **Maintain Temperature:** Use insulated bags/coolers for perishable items during transport.
- **Refrigerate/Freeze:** Store perishable food immediately below $4^{\circ}C$ or freeze it upon arrival.
- **When in Doubt, Throw it Out:** If food smells, looks, or feels unusual, do not consume it.
3. The Foodshare Solution
We use a smart, localized platform to connect supply and demand efficiently, overcoming the logistical challenges inherent to an archipelago like Seychelles.
Our Three Pillars:
- **Technology:** Our digital platform allows donors to list food in minutes and instantly alerts community partners of availability, ensuring minimum time between donation and pickup.
- **Logistics Network:** We coordinate ground, and in some cases, inter-island transport using a dedicated team of staff and volunteers to reach Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue.
- **Community Vetting:** Every organization and individual claiming food must be verified to ensure the food reaches the most vulnerable in our society effectively.