Wednesday, 21.10.2015, 11:00 am–Prime Minister of Slovenia, Dr. Cerar, represented by two state secretaries, Mr. Tadej Slapnik and Ms. Andreja Crnak Meglic officially launched Ljubljana’s Food Surplus Enterprise (FSE) Hub at the EKO 365 Centre.
Funded by the Europan Union’s Erasmus+ program and hosted by Food for Life Global (FFLG) and The Food Surplus Entrepreneurs Network (FSN), the milestone event brought together Food for Life organizations from Sweden, Denmark, Slovenia, Hungary, Latvia, UK and Serbia in response to the Food Waste Revolution happening in Ljubljana.
The Prime minister’s speech was read out by Mr. Slapnik.
“The current value of food waste is estimated at 400 billion USD per year, with the development of the middle class will cost over the next 15 years grew to $ 600 billion per year. If 2030 managed to reduce losses of food in consumers of 20-50%, it would save 120 to 300 billion USD per year. Losses and discards food caused losses in income and reduces the return on investment, slows economic and social development.”
Director of Food for Life Global, Paul Rodney Turner said:
“There is no need for anyone to go hungry in this day and age. We are so happy to cooperate with the Slovenian government to address hunger head on with the FSE initiative.”
Food for Life in Slovenia, together with the Radha Govinda restaurant in Ljubljana has served over 70,000 food surplus meals to socially underprivileged families in the last 7 years.
With roots dating back to 1974, Food for Life Global is headquartered in Ljubljana, Slovenia, with coordinating offices worldwide. The mission of the organization is to unite the world through pure food, by the liberal distribution of pure plant-based meals to disadvantaged, malnourished people and victims of disaster. Volunteers currently serve up to 2,000,000 free plant-based meals on a daily basis and are currently responding to the refugee crisis across Europe.
Joris Depouillon, Co-founder of the FSE Network added:
“After the signing of the Urban Food Policy Pact in Milan, I am excited to be here in Ljubljana to initiate action on the issue of food waste. The Food Surplus Entrepreneurs Network is a European community connecting like-minded entrepreneurs focused on reducing and redistributing food waste through innovative and grass roots initiatives.”
The event confirms Ljubljana’s claim as the “Green Capital of Europe” in 2016 and included workshops, roundtable meetings and a plant-based feast prepared from food surplus.
Prime minister Cerar praised the work of local Food for Life Global affiliates, FFL Slovenia and Radha Govinda Restaurant:
“The scale of the food wastage problem is inspiring the efforts of organizations like Food for Life Global, in cooperation with the Radha Govinda restaurant, that in the last 7 years, has served more than 75,000 free meals to underprivileged individuals and families. For your work and efforts so sincerely thank you.
“I am pleased to be innaugurating the Food Surplus Hub in Ljubljana for reducing surplus food.”
