What the Project Is
Olanga is an innovative digital marketplace offering solutions to reduce food waste and food loss. This project connects Swiss fruit and vegetable producers directly with large kitchens, canteens, gastronomy businesses, food processors, and juice manufacturers. Born out of four years of planning, face-to-face encounters with real challenges, and a mixture of successes and failures, olanga.market was conceived to turn surplus, misshapen, or overproduced produce into valuable resources. Although the digital marketplace has been temporarily suspended as of December 31, 2024, the core mission remains unchanged – delivering a sustainable strategy against food waste and food loss. Consumer awareness is growing, and the idea that even imperfect produce holds value is resonating more day by day… This initiative underscores a forward-thinking approach that builds bridges between responsible production and resource efficiency.
Main Benefit
Olanga brings a host of benefits that contribute not only to the bottom line but also to environmental sustainability. The main advantages of this initiative include:
- Additional revenue generation with minimal effort for producers
- Active contribution to resource efficiency and the preservation of biodiversity
- Expansion of customer bases through direct and simple ordering processes
- Reduction of food waste by improving planning for food purchases and operational costs
- Mitigating environmental impacts such as additional greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and unnecessary energy use
Food Waste and Food Loss Fundamentals
Understanding food waste versus food loss is crucial in comprehending Olanga’s approach. Food waste is defined as the discarding of edible food at the retail or consumption stage, while food loss describes the reduction of edible food during production, post-harvest, and processing stages. Olanga’s strategy is focused primarily at the beginning of the chain, where simple adjustments can result in massive benefits. By enabling producers to offer crooked carrots, surplus leeks, or undersized plums to specialized buyers, the platform champions the idea that every edible item counts. This simple yet transformative principle prevents unnecessary waste and redirects food from possibly being thrown away into streams that sustain businesses and support food security.
Smart Catering and Operational Efficiency
The project doesn’t stop at offering a marketplace solution; it also introduces the concept of smart catering for gastronomy businesses. In a casual, engaging way, the idea is clear: the better a business can plan its food purchases, the less waste is generated. By embracing innovative pre-order lunch menu apps, gastronomy outlets can plan their purchasing quantities with impressive precision. This approach makes it possible to save on costs, optimize staff deployment, and substantially minimize waste. The system’s casual, seamless integration into existing practices acts as a breath of fresh air in an industry that increasingly values sustainability alongside taste and quality. In short… better planning leads to stronger business performance while protecting our environment.
Smart Farming: Connecting Surplus to Demand
Overproduction of food has long been a challenge; it is estimated that around 600 billion USD worth of food is lost globally every year during or immediately after harvest. Even in countries like Switzerland, substandard products are often relegated to being plowed under. Olanga’s smart farming solution is a game changer. It bridges the gap by matching surplus vegetables, fruits, and even substandard goods with buyers who can make use of them. This innovative approach not only prevents the unnecessary destruction of food but also creates additional revenue streams and reduces environmental impacts—such as extra water usage, energy consumption, and an expanded footprint on already limited natural resources. The idea is simple, effective, and speaks volumes about the potential of smart, data-driven agriculture.
Consulting and Education for a Sustainable Future
Beyond its role as a digital marketplace, Olanga extends its influence through specialized consulting and educational services. Experienced professionals in resource efficiency and food production/trade offer guidance to both authorities and private companies. These services include process analysis from production to distribution, the development of effective measures against food waste, and organization of conferences and expert lectures. Such consultative efforts help both businesses and governmental bodies evolve operational practices, making them more sustainable. This educational dimension of the project invites stakeholders to reimagine conventional approaches to catering and farming, ultimately leading to smarter, more environmentally conscious decisions. The role of consultation and education is integral; it acts as the multiplier that transforms isolated efforts into widespread industry practices.
The Project Impact
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger – By reducing food loss, the project aids in making more food available to those in need.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Encourages efficient utilization of resources while minimizing waste.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Helps decrease greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating unnecessary food production and waste.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – Contributes to the protection of ecosystems, reducing the strain on natural resources used in food production.
Looking Ahead: Consulting, Innovation, and Renewed Energy
While the current suspension of olanga.market might seem like a pause in an otherwise vibrant journey, the energy behind Olanga continues to drive change and inspire innovation. The project has clearly demonstrated that with appropriate signals from market players, further growth and operational adjustments are within reach. Future enhancements, such as the launch of pre-ordering apps for smart catering and more robust smart farming capabilities, are eagerly anticipated. For those interested in learning more or discussing potential partnerships, inquiries are welcomed via email at info@olanga.ch or by telephone at +41 56 442 40 45. This initiative remains a beacon for sustainable food consumption, offering personalized diet plans and planning security for restaurants, and it continues to pave the way for an environmentally conscious future in food production and consumption.
