Food waste app huge success in Guernsey

Monday 03 September 2018

Olio, a free app that aims to connect neighbours and businesses with each other so that excess food can be shared - not thrown away - has been a huge success in Guernsey.

Elis Joudalova, launched the app a couple of months ago following a successful year in Jersey. She now has a team of volunteers signed up and more local businesses coming on board each week to share their food surplus.

Ms Joudalova said: "I have got about 15 volunteers now, some fully up and running and some in the middle of training and first pick ups. There have been over 600 items shared on the app since I set up in Guernsey and there are over 1000 local app users too."

Pictured: Olio enables users to share their unwanted food surplus with neighbours to eliminate food waste.

Olio is essentially a free app connecting locals so surplus food and other items can be shared and not binned. In essence what happens is if an individual has any surplus food then they can share this on the app and others can see and potentially take it to save waste. For businesses like cafes or restaurants and shops or supermarkets, it helps them share their surplus food or that food past its 'best before' date.

As well as most of the local Co-Op stores including the Bridge Grande Marche, Ms Joudalova is thrilled to have Alliance join the scheme this week and she is looking for more volunteers.

"Alliance store is now joining our food sharing movement hopefully this week. I am in a real need of volunteers preferably who are based close to the store. Most days the food pick up time will be about 21:15."

Pictured: Alliance in St Sampsons.

Talking about how successful the food waste scheme has been in Guernsey, Ms Joudalova said: "I have been overwhelmed by the positive response and amazing welcome to the local community. I have met some wonderful and inspiring people who share very similar values and pushing for the better future of the island.

"All levels of the community have been very supportive and everyone keeps treating me beyond what I could ever expect. I have a great feeling it will go very far here and I am super excited and honoured to be helping to establish the Olio food sharing movement over here in Guernsey."

Ms Joudalova is still looking for people to help with the app in Guernsey so that more food can be shared and utilised rather than thrown away. If you would like to get involved then you can like the Facebook page facebook.com/guernseyoliofoodsharing/ or email her directly elis@olioex.com.

Pictured top: Some food surplus donated and Elis Joudalova inset.