Foodsharing is caring - and how else one can save food

Miriam Weitz

April 24, 2023

Foodsharing.de

Perhaps some of you have also experienced this before (it happens to me especially when I go shopping while hungry). Suddenly, in the fridge and/or pantry, there appear to be food items that you don't really like but ended up buying anyway, or you just don't feel like eating them and their best before date is about to expire. So, should you just throw them away, right? However, that definitely doesn't have to be the case. Either you get creative with cooking or you use the platform Foodsharing.de.

The association Foodsharing e.V. aims to reduce the amount of food that ends up in the trash. The platform has been around since 2012 and was able to launch thanks to a crowdfunding campaign. According to its homepage, it now has approximately 200,000 users in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other European countries. The platform collaborates with businesses, such as supermarkets or bakeries, and individuals can also share baskets of food with others. Registration is easy and free via the homepage. However, there is no app available.

Motatos.de

The platform Motatos.de was founded in 2014, initially under the name Matsmarkt in Sweden. At first, the three founders Erik, Kalle, and Uffe were still packing boxes in their home basement - the quintessential start-up classic.

At Motatos, food items are sold that may have a production error on the packaging or are being discontinued. The online store offers the goods at 20% to 80% cheaper than in regular commerce. The ordering process is relatively easy, and payment can be made with PayPal, among other methods. However, Motatos does not offer fresh goods, but the selection of other products is huge. Sometimes the assortment changes daily. The platform delivers free of charge for orders over 45 euros, and delivery is within the usual time frames - so relatively fast (unless the postal service is on strike again). By the way, during the ordering process, you can also see how much you have saved. Motatos also offers bulk packages - which is especially beneficial for people who want to build up a stockpile.
On review portals, one often reads that goods arrive damaged. I have ordered from Motatos myself and so far everything has arrived intact - including a bottle of olive oil.

Sirplus

Sirplus ist ein Lebensmittel-Retter Start-up mit Sitz in Berlin. Bekannt wurde das Unternehmen durch den Auftritt aus „Höhle der Löwen“ - der ein wenig eskaliert ist. Sirplus ist nicht ganz unumstritten - was unter anderem an der Sache mit den ehemaligen „Rettermärkten“ liegt. Früher gab es neben dem Onlineshop auch fünf physische Läden in Berlin, in denen gerettete Lebensmittel gekauft werden konnten. Ende 2021 war damit aber Schluss, rund 50 Mitarbeiter verloren ihren Job. Das Prinzip von Sirplus ist ähnlich wie das von Motatos. Das Unternehmen kauft Restposten ein und verkauft diese weiter. Neben den „üblichen Verdächtigen“ bietet Sirplus allerdings auch Obst und Gemüse sowie Boxen im Abo an.

Too Good to Go

With the help of the Too Good to Go app, one can save food from restaurants, stores, or cafes. Often, at the end of the day, there is quite a bit left over that would otherwise have to be thrown away. The stores or the gastronomy offer so-called "Surprise-Bags" through the app. Users can reserve these and pick them up before the store closes. However, the name 'Surprise Bag' is quite literal. You don't know exactly what you're going to get beforehand. The app is available for free in the App Store, and the prices for the surprise bags are reasonable. The creators of Too Good to Go collaborate with companies and restaurants nationwide in Germany. Even in the village where I live, offers are available.

Pantry.App

A little self-promotion is necessary ;)
With the Speisekammer.App, Matthias Schmid and his team want to declare war on food waste. The app serves as a "digital pantry" and helps users keep track of which food items they have at home and which products are nearing the expiration of their best-before date. Food items can be easily added using the integrated barcode scanner. There is also the option to assign a specific storage location, so that, for example, nothing ever gets lost in the icy depths of the freezer again. The app is simple and intuitive to use, which was particularly important to Matthias Schmid. There is a free and a premium version of the app.

More clarity when shopping: How Open Food Facts and the Smantry app make nutrition transparent

Many foods look healthy at first glance – but what's really inside them? Are the nutritional values balanced? How processed is a product? And what impact does it have on our environment?
This is exactly where the Smantry-App comes in: It uses the globally open database Open Food Facts, to give you immediate clarity when scanning your items. But what's actually behind the colorful labels like Nutri-Score, NOVA or Eco-Score, that you encounter in the app?
Let's take a closer look at the background.

Open Food Facts: From the Idea to a Global Database

The journey began in 2012 with the founding of Open Food Facts – a non-profit organization that collects, analyzes, and makes food information freely accessible worldwide. The goal from the beginning was to provide consumers with scientifically substantiated information.
What started as a small project has now become a global platform with millions of products. And it is precisely this data that the Smantry-App uses to give you a clear overview directly on your smartphone.

An overview of the most important scores

1. Nutri-Score – how healthy is my product?

Since 2016, the Nutri-Score has been legally established in France – and it has quickly spread throughout Europe.

  • A (green) means: very balanced.
  • E (red) means: unbalanced, enjoy in moderation.

The rating is based on calories, sugar, salt, saturated fats – but also on positive factors such as fiber, protein, and the proportion of vegetables.
👉 So in the Smantry app, you can see at a glance whether a food item fits into your everyday life – or perhaps should be on the table less often.

2. NOVA-Score – how processed is it?

Not only the ingredients, but also the degree of processing plays a significant role for health. This is exactly what the NOVA-Score (integrated into Open Food Facts since 2018) shows you:

  • 1 = unprocessed or minimally processed (e.g., fresh fruit, plain yogurt)
  • 2 = ingredients such as vegetable oils, sugar, flour
  • 3 = processed foods (e.g., bread, cheese, canned goods)
  • 4 = highly processed products ("Ultra-Processed Food"), often with additives, flavors, and industrial processes

👉 With the Smantry app, you can instantly tell if a product is still 'close to nature' – or if it falls into the category of being highly processed.

3. Eco-Score (soon to be Green-Score) – how sustainable is my shopping?

Since 2019, Open Food Facts also includes an environmental assessment: the Eco-Score. It takes into account, among other things:

  • CO₂ emissions from production and transportation,
  • Packaging and recyclability,
  • Origin and seasonal factors.

The rating is – similar to the Nutri-Score – from A (very eco-friendly) to E (less sustainable).
By 2025, this will become the Green-Score, which will take into account even more detailed data and thus provide you with even better guidance for sustainable consumption.
👉 For you in the Smantry app, this means: You can see not only whether a food is healthy for you, but also whether it is good for our planet.

What this means for you as a Smantry user

Currently, you can scan your products in the Smantry-App and view many details. The scores themselves are not yet integrated – but the integration is planned.
This means: Soon you will be able to see not only the nutritional values of a product but also how healthy, processed, or sustainable it is – all directly in your app.

Conclusion: Your Smart Nutrition Compass

The colorful labels are much more than pretty symbols. They are your quick compass in everyday life – whether you want to shop with health consciousness, reduce highly processed products, or pay attention to the environment.
With the Smantry-App you already have strong support for more transparency while shopping. And with the planned integration of the scores, it will become even more valuable – your smart nutritional compass for the future.

September 21, 2025
3 min read

Cooking with the Future: Augmented Reality and Smart Interfaces for Your Recipes

That’s exactly what augmented reality (AR) and smart interfaces bring to the table. They project digital information where you need it most: into your cooking environment. This makes it easier to stay organized, cook more efficiently, and even reduce waste – because less stress in the kitchen often means fewer forgotten or spoiled ingredients.

And here’s where Smantry comes in. The app already helps you keep track of your pantry, avoid food waste, and stay in control of your kitchen. With upcoming features like leftover-based recipe suggestions, you’re already stepping into the smart kitchen future today.

👉 Bottom line: The kitchen of tomorrow is here – and it’s efficient, sustainable, and surprisingly fun.

September 11, 2025
1 min read

The best kitchen tools to turn leftovers into delicious dishes 🍲✨

Hand on heart: Each of us has them – those little leftovers in the fridge or pantry that somehow never get properly planned for. But it's exactly these remnants that can often be turned into the most creative and delicious dishes! All you need are a few clever kitchen tools that make the work easier and get the best out of your ingredients.

Here are our favorites:

🥣 1. The powerful blender

Smoothies, soups, dips – a good blender transforms leftover vegetables, fruit, or even bread into a new dish in seconds. Perfect when bananas are a bit brown or the vegetables no longer look crisp.

🔪 2. A sharp chef's knife

Sounds simple, but a really good knife is worth its weight in gold. It allows you to cut vegetable and meat scraps precisely and quickly. Moreover, cooking is just more fun when you have the right tools.

🍳 3. A cast iron skillet

The all-rounder in the kitchen: fried potatoes made from leftover boiled potatoes, frittatas with yesterday's vegetables, or crispy bread cubes from stale bread – everything tastes twice as good in a cast-iron skillet.

🥕 4. Vegetable Peeler & Grater

A modest tool with a big impact: grate carrot leftovers, turn zucchini into noodles, or finely shred cheese remnants. With a peeler and grater, you bring variety to your leftover cooking.

🥡 5. Storage Containers & Screw-top Jars

Without proper storage, nothing works. You can keep leftovers fresh, transport them, or even prepare them for the next meal prepping. Tip: Jars are also great for serving small amounts in style.

🌱 6. Kitchen Scale

It's practical to know exactly how much is left over, especially with leftovers. This way, you can adjust recipes and avoid waste.

🥄 7. Personal Blender

The little brother of the blender – perfect for soups or sauces right in the pot. When only a small amount needs to be processed, it's super convenient.

How Smantry additionally helps you 📲

With the Smantry App you can not only keep an eye on your supplies, but soon you'll also be able to discover recipes for your leftovers. This way, you'll immediately know which tool to take out of the cupboard to save your food and create something new.

👉 Because good tools and the right app are the perfect combo to combat food waste.

September 4, 2025
2 min read

New laws on food waste in Spain

Spain has recently passed a groundbreaking law to combat food waste. This law requires all actors in the food chain, from producers to retailers, to implement specific plans to prevent food loss.

Key provisions of the law:

Obligation to donate surplus food: Supermarkets with a floor space of more than 1,300 square meters are now required to form partnerships with non-profit organizations to donate surplus food that is still fit for consumption. These donations are exempt from value-added tax.

Offer of packaging for leftover food: Restaurants and bars are required to provide their guests with free, reusable or recyclable packaging so that they can take home uneaten food. The aim is to raise consumer awareness of food waste and encourage them to take leftovers with them.

Promotion of the sale of products with approaching expiration dates: Retailers should offer products that are nearing their expiration date or have aesthetic defects at reduced prices to encourage their sale and reduce waste.

Hierarchy of priorities for dealing with surplus food: The law establishes an order for handling surplus food. Priority is given to human consumption through donations. If this is not possible, the food should be used for the production of processed products. The last options include using it as animal feed or for energy generation.

Sanctions for violations:

Companies that violate the provisions of the law can expect fines ranging from 2,000 to 500,000 euros.

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Critique and Outlook:

While the law is considered an important step in the fight against food waste in Europe, there is also criticism. Some voices argue that the strict framework of sanctions could disproportionately burden companies and that the law does not sufficiently address the role of consumers, who are responsible for a significant portion of food waste.

Nevertheless, the law is seen as a significant advancement in reducing food waste and promoting a more sustainable awareness in society.

Join in and reduce food waste! 🌱📲

Spain's new law demonstrates: Sustainability starts in the pantry! With the Speisekammer App you can keep track of your groceries, plan meals efficiently, and avoid unnecessary waste.

👉 Download the app now and join the movement for less waste and more conscious consumption! 💚 Try it now!

August 27, 2025
2 min read