Café Rest in Freising: Saving, sharing and enjoying food!

Café Rest in Freising: Saving, sharing and enjoying food!

In Cologne it's all about sustainable gastronomy and the impressive efforts to put a stop to food waste. The Café Left in Freising is a shining example of creative solutions in the fight against waste. Founded at the end of 2020 by Caro Stanzl and eleven other committed members of the Übrig association, the café has quickly made a name for itself by offering delicious dishes and cakes made from rescued food.

The founders' original goal was to establish a food sharing café that would create broader awareness of the pressing problem of food waste. After successfully testing the concept in the so-called “Spot Shop”, the café on General-von-Nagel-Straße opened in January 2023. Crowdfunding brought in 12,000 euros, which was used to set up our own premises. The café is now prospering and attracts a diverse range of customers, from students to real estate agents to the homeless. Their paying guests can choose their own price for drinks, while generous donations are welcome for dishes and pastries.

A place for everyone

Café Übrig not only has an exciting gastronomic offering, but also an outdoor area. On sunny days, guests can enjoy their food and drink in a pleasant atmosphere. The association now has almost 200 members, with around 25 of them actively working as volunteers. The café is also supported by four part-time employees. Food donations come from various supermarkets, bakeries and other catering establishments, which make an important contribution to preventing waste. A “fair share” with donated food makes it possible to make excess goods available.

The food sharing academy, which campaigns to raise awareness of food waste in a global context, has an important role in this. Founded in 2018, the academy's goal is to train people in the food sharing community and beyond in educational work. Their know-how flows into numerous projects that promote the appreciation of food, such as the “food sharing crosses borders” project or workshops for socially disadvantaged groups. The academy has achieved a lot in recent years and plans to continue its educational work with permanent employees.

Commitment to the future

Another important player in the food rescue sector is the Foodsharing Association e.V.. This is also committed to combating food waste and implementing innovative approaches to save edible food. With projects such as local pick-up points and workshops, the association promotes the conscious use of food and aims to promote sustainable social change. Developing our own training materials is also part of our mission.

The challenges of food rescue are diverse, but the solutions seem to grow in the community and through innovative ideas. The common denominator remains the goal: Halving food losses by 2030, in line with global initiatives, represents an important challenge. For the people of Cologne and beyond, now is the time to take action and contribute to a sustainable future.