Fighting food waste and hunger in Vienna

ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. This bottom-up initiative was collected within the Food Security research line. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Wiener Tafel, Austria

Transforming Surplus into Support

Wiener Tafel – the “Vienna Table” – is a pioneering Austrian initiative addressing food insecurity and waste while fostering social inclusion. Since 1999, this non-profit organisation has rescued surplus food from Vienna’s wholesale market and distributed it to social institutions aiding low-income groups. In 2021, it supplied food to approximately 20,000 people, a 25% increase from the previous year, emphasising its critical role in combating food poverty.

Innovative Solutions for a Sustainable Impact

Wiener Tafel’s operations go beyond redistribution:

• Efficient Food Rescue: Collecting surplus produce from wholesale markets and repurposing it into canned goods for social facilities.
• Community Education: Engaging schools and communities through awareness projects on food waste and sustainability.
• Environmental and Social Impact: In 2021, the organisation prevented 746,100 kg of food from going to waste.

Despite growing demand amid rising living costs, Wiener Tafel’s innovative approach and volunteer-driven efforts highlight its replicable model for sustainable food systems across Europe.

Learn more about Wiener Tafel

More inspiring initiatives