Thekla Witte: Heldin of the food rescue in Gifhorn!

Thekla Witte: Heldin of the food rescue in Gifhorn!

Gifhorn, Deutschland - in Gifhorn, where the thought of conscious consumption is very important every day, Thekla Witte is passionate about food sharing. Your mission? Food rescue in the truest sense of the word. Here she picks up food from hype to be consumed and passes them on free of charge. This is all the more important because in 2022 around 800,000 tons of food ended up in the trash in Germany alone, as the Federal Statistical Office reports. So it is very time to become active, and that does Witte with flying colors.

It has been part of the food sharing team in Gifhorn for four years, which picks up fresh fruit, vegetables and other foods under strict hygiene rules. The Foodsharing.de platform networked food rescuers that can handle food both privately and commercially. The pick -up in companies is not without hurdles: a quiz and special training are required to ensure that everyone involved has a "good hand" for food rescue.

a network of food safety

Thekla Witte has now built a network that not only supplies customers sufficiently, but also ensures that the cold chain is being observed. At various events in Gifhorn, such as the Christmas market or the old town festival, the effectiveness of your work is evident. "The goal of food sharing is to make yourself superfluous," explains Witte and adds that more reliable volunteers are desired to continue to strengthen the commitment in the region.

The food sharing honorary office not only plays an important role in food rescue, but also in education policy. Witte sees her work as an educational mission to raise awareness of the serious topics of food waste. Foodsharing is involved nationwide with other initiatives that pursue similar concerns: to promote awareness of sustainability and resource conservation.

The challenges of food rescue

But where there is light, as is well known, there are also shadows. Many who deal with the topic of food rescue often try out containers, a legally problematic method in which food from waste containers are taken from supermarkets. The waste remains legally owned by the company, and taking away can be seen as theft. However, the return of excess foods via platforms such as food sharing, which also rely on cooperation with companies and social institutions, is legal.

The food sharing movement has now developed into a community that saves millions of kilograms of food every year. With initiatives, workshops and strong social cooperation, the movement not only strengthens environmental protection, but also social cohesion. The goal? A radical minimization of food waste and promoting a sustainable lifestyle. There is a lot to do and everyone can contribute to it.

This is to be noted: In times of increasing living costs and growing social inequality, voluntary work is more important than ever. A change in consciousness is not only in Gifhorn, but everywhere in Germany - and everyone can help to land less on the trash. Because "edible foods are a valuable resource", according to the conviction of food sharing.

For more information on the food situation in Germany and the challenges of food rescue, we recommend a look at the reporting of waz online Perspectives examined closer, as well as the comprehensive overview of WDR and an exciting portrait of the association on Houli Health .