In a heartening collaboration, Verna-based factories have teamed up with Street Providence’s food bank initiative to address hunger and support the less fortunate by donating surplus fresh canteen meals. The initiative, which initially began with a single fridge in May 2017, marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of a food truck last week. The truck was inaugurated by Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, alongside prominent figures such as IAS officer Sanjit Rodrigues and retired DIG IPS Bosco George.

This refrigerated truck has the capacity to carry up to 2,000kg of food at a minimum temperature of minus 2 degrees Celsius. Donald Fernandes, the founder of Street Providence, expressed his enthusiasm about the new addition, stating that it enables them to collect nearly 2,500kg of extra cooked food daily, a significant increase from their previous capacity of 500kg collected using four-wheelers.

Fernandes explained, “Previously, we were able to provide around 1,200 meals daily on average. Now, with this truck and the collaboration with ten major factories in the Verna Industrial Estate, we are gearing up to supply 6,000 meals daily.” He further highlighted the staggering food wastage statistics in Goa, estimating daily wastage at 15,000kg, monthly at 4,50,000kg, and yearly at 54,00,000kg. However, by collecting surplus cooked food, they aim to reduce this wastage significantly, potentially saving 2,500kg daily, 75,000kg monthly, and 9,00,000kg annually.

Fernandes emphasized the broader environmental benefits of preventing cooked food from ending up in bins, thereby reducing stress on the environment. The organization plans to expand its operations further in the coming months by procuring surplus meals from various sources including casinos, caterers, wedding venues, bakeries, restaurants, starred hotels, and fast-food joints, aiming to significantly reduce food wastage in the region.