Free Food in Switzerland: Where and for Whom?
A low-income assistance initiative was founded in Neuchâtel just a year ago. Its goal: to help those in need with food. How? By setting up community refrigerators, accessible to anyone in need. The refrigerators' inventory varies daily, and their shelves are often empty—understandably so, as the free food is quickly taken. But who restocks them? Thanks go to the volunteers who collect unsold goods from participating stores and restaurants and then distribute them to four community refrigerators located throughout the canton. "Our goal is to avoid unnecessary food waste and help those in need. At the same time, we're running an information campaign among the public about the harm of mindless waste," explains Marilyn Béguin, president of the Free Go association.
The electricity consumed by the Free Go refrigerators is paid for by the owners of the premises where they are located. Temperature monitoring and expiration dates are also guaranteed, ensuring that the refrigerator contains only food that can be safely consumed. For example, when collecting prepared meals, volunteers and partners ensure that the food is properly stored, such as being refrigerated. The Free Go Association's refrigerators are located in discreet locations so that those who are embarrassed to use them openly and wish to keep their use a secret from others do not feel pressured. As soon as new products are added to the refrigerator, this is announced on the corresponding Facebook page.
Read more: http://s.swissin.fo/JHw9RNI
---
The Swiss news and information portal SWI swissinfo.ch is part of SRG SSR, Switzerland's largest media corporation.
Subscribe to the swissinforussian channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/swissinfo...
Website: http://www.swissinfo.ch/rus/index.html