In Turin, the Porta Palazzo Organic Project (RePoPP) is about raising awareness around and reducing food waste. In Europe’s largest open-air market the project recovers unsold foods to distribute for free and organic waste for composting. Over four years it has redistributed over 450 tonnes of food and increased the recycling rate from 45% to 89%.
At the same time, the project empowers local asylum seekers who volunteer to run the daily operations of the market with valuable internship and civic engagement opportunities. Already a great success, the project has expanded to include six more markets and now even has a kitchen to prepare fresh meals free of charge with excess food.
The free food distribution attracts people and popularises the city’s message that we can and must avoid food waste. They can sit in to enjoy their food and experience live events, or take the food away in a free container (one that is 100% biodegradable, of course).
