What can you do against food waste?

Is food waste really such a big problem?

Approximately 1.4 billion hectares, or nearly 30% of available agricultural land, is used to produce food that is never consumed. This is particularly alarming considering estimates that food production needs to increase by 60% from 2005 levels by 2050 to feed the growing global population. Reducing food waste would make it easier to meet future needs.

Not surprisingly, the highest levels of food waste occur in developed regions like Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia. Since we have multiple times the amount of food available, it seems natural that we can choose from almost anything, anytime, anywhere. However, this culture of choice leads to an unimaginable accumulation of surplus. This not only causes problems for producers, grocery stores, and restaurants – lost revenue – but also puts great strain on our environment.

Looking at the problem from another angle, while ⅓ of food produced in developed regions ends up in the trash, more than 820 million people are starving in the rest of the world.(source) Of these 820 million, nearly 300 million live on the African continent. The main causes include climate conditions (drought, poor soil, etc.), political instability, poor financial conditions, and technological underdevelopment. (source)

Food waste doesn't just mean food thrown in the trash, but also wasted money, energy, water, and time. Munch offers a solution to this complex problem.

What is Munch?

Munch.hu is a startup that offers a solution to the complex problem of food waste:

Munch.hu is a website through which restaurants, bakeries, and hotels sell unsold but high-quality food at a discount. With Munch, you can not only eat well at a good price, but also easily take action against food waste.

On Munch.hu, more than 30 restaurants already offer unsold food at a discount in the form of munches, which can be reserved and paid for on the website, and then picked up at the restaurant during a designated time slot. The principle of Munch is that only fresh, consumable, and untouched food can be included in the package, and restaurants must offer packages at least 40% cheaper than the food's original price.

A special element of munches is that customers don't know in advance exactly what will be in the package. The surprise that comes with a munch makes ordering even more exciting. "Whatever remains on that particular day goes into the package, so alongside the joy of the surprise, we can discover new dishes while not having to think about what to eat. From the beginning, we consulted with restaurateurs and store managers, incorporated their feedback, and aimed to create the simplest possible platform" – Bence said in a previous interview.(source)

Why is it good for me as a consumer?

• You can easily do your part for the environment: not only against food waste, but also against single-use plastics, since when you arrive, you can usually ask the staff to put the food in your own container.
• You can eat well with 40-70% discounts: saving is useful and cool. With Munch, you don't have to pay a fortune to eat well.
• You can discover new restaurants: alongside new places, you can discover new dishes, flavors, and gastronomic cultures. As many munches, as many new adventures. No two munches are the same – every munch is unique and special.

Why is it good for our partners?


• It increases revenue: Products that would otherwise be lost can be sold through the platform.
• It offers PR value: Appearing on the platform shows that the business is committed to reducing waste.
• It makes the world a better place: Annually wasted food is responsible for 8% of harmful emissions. We can reduce this together!

Why read Munch's green blog?

Munch's green blog, besides food waste, deals with environmental protection issues. Whether it's the climate crisis, environmentally conscious daily life, sustainability, hunger, clean water, or energy consumption.

This is not just a blog, but a way of thinking. A lifestyle that encourages consciousness, responsibility, zero waste, and open-mindedness. The blog's goal is to bring you, readers, problems, news, and topics that are not necessarily found in Hungarian media – in Hungarian public awareness. Problems that can be solved if we work on them individually and collectively. We want to be part of the solution. And you?

The Munch blog is for everyone who is innovative, curious, and environmentally conscious. The Munch blog is for you!

Image sources: Munch.hu, own editing