Fighting food waste and building community: The Foodsave Market in Zurich

Every year, Switzerland throws away over two million tonnes of food, much of it still perfectly edible. In response to this enormous waste, local initiatives are stepping up to create practical, community-driven solutions. One of them is the Foodsave Market in Altstetten, Zurich: a small but powerful project that brings together sustainability, social responsibility, and delicious fresh produce, all in one place.

What is the Foodsave Market?

The Foodsave Market is a weekly market, initiated through dieCuisine, that sells surplus fruits and vegetables, products that would otherwise be discarded due to small imperfections or simply because they weren’t sold on time. These items often look slightly different from what we are used to seeing on supermarket shelves, but they are just as tasty and nutritious.

The goal of the market is simple: rescue food that is too good to waste and make it accessible to everyone, especially those who may struggle to afford fresh and healthy produce. The market currently takes place every Wednesday from 16:00 to 18:00 at the FOGO Areal in Altstetten, Zurich, a location that is home to a vibrant and diverse community, including many immigrants and families on lower incomes.

The surplus produce are from Jehle Obst & Gemüse, a vendor based at the Engrosmarkt Zurich, who delivers his leftovers once a week to the Foodsave Market. 

Why is this market so important?

The Foodsave Market is about more than just affordable groceries. It is about rethinking how we value food, reconnecting communities, and creating a food system that works for people and the planet. The market helps in several key ways:

• Reducing foodwaste: By rescuing surplus food from being thrown away or processed into biogas, the market helps lower the environmental impact of food production.
• Making healthy food accessible: Fresh fruits and vegetables are often expensive. The Foodsave Market provides an alternative, making it possible for more people to eat well without stretching their budget.
• Creating awareness: By shopping at the market, customers become more aware of food waste, seasonality, and the real value of food.
• Supporting Social Gastronomy: Leftovers from the market are not thrown away. They’re used for community cooking, a project of Social Cuisine, for workshops within dieCuisine or for preparing meals for the Schwester Ariane’s initiative. 

In a time when food waste and social inequality are big challenges, the Foodsave Market offers a simple and hopeful solution. It is not just about saving food, it is about creating a fair food system where everyone can get healthy fruits and vegetables, and no good food goes to waste.

Come visit and be part of the change.
🛒 Every Wednesday
📍 16:00–18:00 at FOGO Areal, Altstetten (Zurich)

🛍️ A large bag costs CHF 10, and a small one CHF 5 – filled with fresh fruits and vegetables.