In the second half of 2024, Foodsharing Luxembourg proudly celebrated its 5th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in the mission of the association to reduce food loss and waste. What began as a small group of friends meeting in December 2018 to brainstorm ideas has now grown into a vibrant, volunteer-driven movement with 825 members.
Founded in August 2019 with just seven members, the association quickly gained traction and established itself as a key player in the fight against food loss and waste in Luxembourg. Since its inception, Foodsharing Luxembourg has successfully implemented various initiatives, including the highly effective Foodsaving and Foodsharing Points projects. These initiatives have proven to be a success, despite initial skepticism and challenges, helping to redistribute more than 923 tonnes of food.
“We are incredibly grateful to all our active members, as well as the brilliant shops, partners, and funders who have supported us over the past five years,” said Daniel Waxweiler, co-founder. “Our growth and success would not have been possible without their dedication and commitment to our mission.”
To mark the occasion, Foodsharing Luxembourg hosted a celebration event in September 2024 at Batiment IV in Esch-Alzette, where members gathered to celebrate the milestone. The event featured workshops, lively discussions, music, and, of course, cooking with food leftovers – all reflecting the core values of sustainability and community that have defined the organisation since its founding.
The future: a national strategy against food waste
According to Eurostat 147 kg of food is wasted per person per year in Luxembourg [1]. Foodsharing Luxembourg believes that our responsibility to combat food waste extends beyond just reducing immediate waste – it’s about preserving resources for future generations.
As the organisation looks ahead, Foodsharing Luxembourg continues to push for greater change on a national level. “While we’re proud of our achievements, we remain committed to advocating for a national strategy and legislation against food loss and waste,” said Hannah Proffitt-Perchard, Communication circle Representative. “Our biggest wish for our 5th anniversary is to see the government take more decisive action in addressing food loss and waste, which remains a significant issue both locally and globally.”
Minimise food waste during the holiday season
The end-of-year celebrations often bring large quantities of food, whether at family gatherings, company parties, or festive events. To help reduce waste, plan ahead by having plenty of containers on hand to store leftovers. Encourage guests to take some home, ensuring that nothing goes to waste. Small actions like this can make a big difference in minimising food waste during the holiday season.
[1] https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/en/web/products-eurostat-news/-/ddn-20220925-2
