Timothy R. Andrews and Sarah Kettel engage in a thought-provoking discussion with Dee Vadukul from Plan Zheroes, a charity dedicated to reducing food waste and alleviating hunger.
Dee elaborates on the organisation's innovative approach to food redistribution, which connects businesses with surplus food to charities that can utilize it.
The conversation reveals the critical need for such services, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has dramatically increased food insecurity while also complicating the donation landscape.
About the Episode:
Plan Zheroes is tackling the critical issue of food waste by connecting businesses with surplus food to charities in need, ensuring that no edible food goes to waste.
Listeners learn about the operational mechanisms behind Plan Zheroes, where businesses can quickly post available food items, allowing charities to claim them almost instantaneously.
Dee provides examples of how this process works, including the recent donation of 40 kilograms of cinnamon that was quickly redirected to a charity serving the homeless.
This example highlights not just the efficiency of the platform but also the real-world impact of such donations, showcasing how excess food can be transformed into meals for those in need.
The discussion also touches on the origins of Plan Zheroes, inspired by its founders' personal experiences with hunger and a desire to ensure that no one goes without food.
Dee emphasises the importance of community engagement and corporate responsibility, calling on businesses to recognize their potential to make a positive difference through food donations.
As the episode wraps up, listeners are encouraged to consider how they can contribute to this cause and support the efforts of Plan Zheroes in their communities, making it a compelling episode for anyone invested in social change and sustainability.
Takeaways:
- Plan Zheroes operates as a food waste broker, connecting businesses with surplus food to charities in need.
- The platform allows businesses to quickly donate excess food, which charities can then claim immediately.
- The history of Plan Zheroes is rooted in a vision of ensuring no one goes hungry, inspired by founder Lottie's experiences in World War II.
- The demand for food banks has surged during the pandemic, highlighting the urgency of food redistribution efforts.
- Surplus food can be from various sources, including restaurants, hotels, and catering companies, to help alleviate food poverty.
- Plan Zheroes aims to expand its outreach and partnerships to help even more communities facing food insecurity.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- Foodserve
- Plan Zheroes
- Marks and Spencers
- Real Junk Food Project
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and New Year's Resolutions
01:12 Introduction to Plan Zheroes
02:25 Benefits of the Plan Zheroes Platform
04:18 Impact and Growth of Plan Zheroes
06:11 Geographical Reach of Plan Zheroes
07:27 Origin and Vision of Plan Zheroes
08:41 Meaning Behind the Name Plan Zheroes
09:32 Challenges and Future Plans for Plan Zheroes
10:20 Food Waste and Food Insecurity Statistics
11:05 Future Initiatives and Events for Plan Zheroes
12:26 How to Get Involved with Plan Zheroes
13:26 Conclusion and Call to Action
Further Resources:
For more insights, visit the Talking Hospitality Blog: https://www.talkinghospitality.com/blog/
For courses on Hospitality and the subjects discussed visit: https://www.educatinghospitality.co.uk/
To hear more on Lotti Henleys incredible vision, drive and journey, visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CF7IrCtYyc
Additional Episode Info:
Editing & Visuals by: Timothy R Andrews
Music: Brain Power by Mela, freemusicarchive.org & Pawel Sikorski