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A Supermarket Against Waste

In Denmark, the first supermarket has opened that sells food past the best-before date.

Best before date, brown speckled bananas, a dented Tetra Pak: most of us wrinkle our noses at such goods. The result of this picky shopping behavior is 82 kilos of food per capita that is thrown away in Germany every year – even though it would have been edible without hesitation.

Social supermarket in Copenhagen

After a law came into force in France in February of this year that prohibits supermarkets from throwing away food, a pilot project in the Danish capital Copenhagen is now causing a stir. The social supermarket “WeFood” sells food that would be thrown away in other supermarkets because it does not meet the ideal of beauty, has been damaged in transit, or has passed its sell-by date.

The store, which opened last Monday, offers a wide variety of groceries, including bread, vegetables, fruit, and frozen goods. The prices are 30 to 50 percent lower than in a normal supermarket.

Celebrities were guests at the opening: None other than Princess Mary inaugurated the food supermarket in the Amager district, together with the (now resigned) Danish Minister for Food and Health, Eva Kjer Hansen. This reflects the position the small Scandinavian country places on the fight against food waste.

“The new supermarket with expired groceries is a great start on our way to waste less food and resources,” Minister Hansen told the online magazine The Local. “There are still too many regulations that don’t contribute to food safety, but make it difficult or prevent the sale of food past its best-before date.”

Supermarket of the volunteers

The ceremonial opening of the WeFood market was preceded by a year of hard work: the equivalent of almost 135,000 euros was collected via crowdfunding for the project, which is run by the Danish church’s emergency aid. Church officials fought tough negotiations with the Danish government to get permission to sell expired food. It was only when some regulations were changed that the social supermarket could become a reality.

The project is supported by the supermarket chains Føtex and Danske Supermarked, which contribute the lion’s share of the range. WeFood obtains fresh fruit and vegetables from a smaller, independent supplier. Only volunteers work in the WeFood supermarket; the proceeds benefit the work of the Danish church emergency aid in the poorest countries in the world.

Anyone traveling in Copenhagen will find the WeFood supermarket at Amagerbrogade 151, 2300 København. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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Food

Supermarket Only Sells Expired Groceries

Expired food is quickly found in the refrigerator. Supermarkets don’t usually sell them anymore. But in England, there is now a new trend: expired food is given a new chance and is offered for sale!

There is a supermarket in the English city of Leeds that sells expired groceries. The “Sharehouse” offers fruit, vegetables, yogurts, and many other foods that other supermarkets or restaurants would not resell or process.

Every customer pays what he wants

The highlight of Sharehouse: every customer can decide for himself in the store what he pays for the expired groceries. Consumers can find out what is currently being offered and sold via Facebook – from the comfort of their own homes.

The “Real Junk Food Project” – expired food

In England, the recently launched “Real Junk Food Project” has been very well received. Just because a food has exceeded its best-before date does not necessarily mean that it can no longer be eaten.

Here people can make a difference and buy cheap groceries. This project is not only suitable for frugal people, but also for everyone who wants to make a statement against today’s throwaway society and food waste.

Expired groceries are now also in Germany

The founders of “Sharehouse” agree: they want to open more branches. A similar concept already exists in Denmark with the “WeFood” shop. Since 2016, groceries have been offered there with a discount of up to 50 percent.

Now a “leftovers” supermarket has finally opened in Cologne. The supermarket “The Good Food” follows a concept similar to that in England: the end consumer only pays what the food is worth to them. Vegetables, fruit, but also baked goods, and preserves are sold there.

What does the health authority say?

Basically, customers need to be aware that something has expired. That’s why signs are put up in Cologne – the employees also explain to the customer personally. However, this is only the case for the best before date, as this is only a recommendation. Products with a clear use-by date, such as raw fish or raw meat, are not sold there. That would speak against the hygiene regulations.

Would you also like to give something to help reduce food waste? Go ahead and check your fridge. What foods do you buy often but rarely process? Which foods are good to process before they go bad?

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Lifestyle

New Best Before Date in Norway

The best-before date: For many, the reference “best before” means “definitely lethal” – and so tons of food that is still edible ends up in the garbage. Norway is therefore now introducing a new formulation that is intended to lead consumers to more conscious consumption.

The best before date on food gives consumers an indication of how long a product can be enjoyed. Until this date, the manufacturer guarantees that the quality, taste, and appearance will remain unchanged.

After this date, however, a product does not automatically become inedible. Nevertheless, the expiry date is often combined with the use-by date – this actually states by when food should be consumed – for example in the case of meat products.

This misunderstanding leads to extreme food waste. Norway now wants to counteract this problem with a new best-before date.

New best before a date with the addition

The new expiry date is not actually a new date but a new formulation. The packaging will now say “Best before but not bad after” – several companies in Norway are already using this new formulation on their products.

Throw away less food

This innovation has not yet arrived in Germany, but here too the products should not be automatically thrown away as soon as they have reached their best-before date.

A common-sense check can help here: Is the product still edible? How does it smell, how does it look? A little taste test helps too. A product should definitely still be edible a few days after the best-before date. Also, make sure you store your groceries correctly and shop with foresight.

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Lifestyle

Anything For The Money? That’s Why There Are no Windows in The Supermarket

Hardly any supermarket has windows. There is a clever trick behind it. Of course, we can already anticipate that this is about the money. And that of the customers.

Supermarket tricks

Supermarkets use a wide variety of tricks to turn their own customers into even more profitable customers. A very special trick are the missing windows. Of course there are some at the front where current offers are also attached, but that’s often the case.

There is a pretty clever effect behind this, which should lure even more money out of our pockets. By the way, arcades and casinos also use it. Overall, all supermarkets are always built according to a perfectly thought-out scheme, which is said to have numerous influences on us. The missing windows have a very simple reason: the longer customers stay in the supermarket, the more money is spent. When you can’t look outside, it’s hard to tell the time. This will keep you in the store for up to an hour.

There are other reasons too: direct sunlight can cause packaging to fade and no longer look high-quality. In addition, window fronts can only be blocked with shelves with difficulty, which means that supermarkets gain space by omitting the windows.

What other tricks are there?

Have you ever noticed that most supermarkets have tile floors? On the one hand, this can be easily cleaned, on the other hand, the shopping trolleys make a lot of noise on it. In order not to attract attention, most people then walk very slowly through the store.

This also tempts you to browse a little more and thus spend more money. Tricks like this quickly end up with things that we didn’t need at all. If the supermarket gets a little fuller, then pay attention to the music: It will probably be more dynamic and faster. This drives people on, so the store empties a bit quickly.

In this way, among other things, we as customers are constantly guided and influenced without us noticing it directly. You can only avoid these effects if you think carefully beforehand about what to buy.

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Food

Bread From The Supermarket or Discounter: This is How You Recognize Really Good Bread

How do you recognize good bread? You can now buy it at discounters and supermarkets. What should you pay attention to?

Bakery and discounter: What are the differences?

Almost every discounter now has its own baking station. Fresh baked goods are baked and sold directly in the shop every day. In addition, many supermarkets have a wide range of packaged bread and rolls. But what about the quality of these products? Are they as good as the traditional bakery products?

The biggest difference is probably in the list of ingredients and the rising times of the dough. The discounters are supplied with finished, deep-frozen dough pieces. Many artificial additives and enzymes are needed to ensure that these have a longer shelf life and are particularly crispy when baked. In addition, the baked goods in bakeries and co are not prepared in peace, but quickly and as cheaply as possible. Therefore, the dough cannot rise slowly and is made to work faster by artificial leavening agents.

Traditional bakeries and some bakery chains, on the other hand, use local ingredients and prepare the dough without long transport routes. Small bakeries use good local flour and value high quality. However, this is also noticeable in the price, which is significantly higher than that of the finished products.

Quality: This is how you buy good bread

Bread from the baking station is therefore not necessarily unhealthy. It all depends on the type of bread and the list of ingredients. If you pay attention to a few things, you buy high-quality bread:
With whole grain bread, make sure that it really is whole grain bread. Many manufacturers use malt extract and caramel syrup to give the bread a healthy, dark color.
Grain bread does not equal healthy bread. Linseed, pumpkin seeds or chia seeds give the bread a healthy look. However, the bread can still be a nutrient-poor white flour product without enough fiber.
The shorter the list of ingredients, the better. Additives and sugar have no place in bread.
You can find out more about the ingredients at the bakery. Take advantage of the expert advice here so that you can find the right product for you.
Our conclusion: You can definitely buy good bread in the supermarket, but pay close attention to the list of ingredients. You decide which quality you buy and which companies or bakeries you support with it. In any case, you should consciously consume and enjoy bread and rolls.

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Lifestyle

7 Savings Tips When Shopping in the Supermarket

Saving money when shopping in the supermarket is necessary for many people. For families, groceries are the second largest expense of the month. Consequently, there is great potential for savings here. We have the most important tips for cheap shopping and the best savings tips.

Saving money when shopping also needs to be learned in order to be able to lead a good life with a small wallet. The following savings tips refer to shopping in supermarkets, discounters, drugstores, and other grocery stores. So that you still have money left over for the nicer things in life.

1) Shop according to plan with shopping list and budget

Basically, before you go shopping, you should set a money limit and write a shopping list. Otherwise, food and other things that you don’t need will end up in the basket. You should therefore use the shopping list as a guide or use a shopping list app. Consequently, before going shopping in the supermarket, it is worth thinking a little longer about what to buy. If you have 1 or 2 deviations when shopping, that’s not bad at all. But going shopping without a plan increases the risk of taking more products with you. Also, note our tips on protecting the environment in the household with other environmentally friendly shopping tips.

2) Go shopping when you’re full

You should also do the shopping list and do the shopping after eating. Because when you’re hungry, you’re weak-willed and receptive to all the appetizers that abound at the grocery store. And then suddenly the delicious frozen pizza, chips, or chocolate end up in the shopping trolley. In addition, this is one of many psychological tricks to lose weight healthier.

3) Cheap shopping with bulk packs

One of many money-saving tips is to buy bulk packs. Because these are actually cheaper and help you to shop cheaply in the supermarket. But be careful when shopping with special offers and double packs. Here you should compare the content with that of the normal packaging. Because it can happen that the quantity in the double packs is reduced so that you don’t have a big saving. You should also consider whether you will use up and need the pack within the shelf life.

4) Use discount campaigns and bonus programs

While it’s a waste of time when you’re frantically chasing coupons and magazine deals, you can shop for cheap if you keep your eyes open along the way. So browse through the catalogs in the mailbox during your morning coffee. The incidental collection of loyalty points can also be converted into cash after a certain amount of time. It really shouldn’t be any more work. Because time is money too. Some selected discount campaigns of various supermarket chains at a glance:

  • LIDL has heavily discounted items every week.
  • EDEKA has promotional products throughout Germany every week.
  • Regular REWE customers can save with loyalty points.

So far some examples of savings tips when shopping. You can find similar programs or apps in almost all supermarket chains that you should use if you regularly go shopping in a certain market. Also, note our ideas for bargain hunting on the Internet.

5) Save money when shopping with weeklies

Another good money-saving tip when shopping is to keep an eye on the weekly offers and special offers. But be careful, not every special offer is cheap! It’s about comparing here. This is especially true for meat and sausage products. If you have found a suitable offer, you can buy the product in larger quantities and freeze it if necessary. Please note our tips and instructions for freezing food.

6) Buy specific promotional items

The savings tips when shopping also includes the targeted purchase of promotional goods. Because when shopping in the supermarket you will always find an area intended for promotional goods. Then these products can only be found there. If you consciously visit this area with every purchase, you will pay less for things that are on your shopping list anyway. Also, note our article on online auctions on the Internet.

7) Look at the bottom of the shelf and shop cheaply

In order to really save money when shopping in the supermarket, you often only have to bend down. This is one of the best money-saving tips when shopping. Because most of the cheap offers are on the lowest shelves. Meanwhile, there are always expensive products at eye level. Because the easygoing person does not like to bend down. And the market researchers know that too. That’s why the products are usually sorted like this. Also, note our tips for shopping on the Internet.

8) Buy fresh instead of ready-made meals

It is often cheaper to cook fresh meals yourself. Accordingly, make a list of all the finished products that you buy regularly and try to replace them with fresh food. However, one can say that exceptions prove the rule here as well. Because a good pasta sauce in a jar with a special price can be cheaper than all the fresh ingredients. But don’t worry, after you’ve been buying fresh groceries for a while, you’ll start to get a feel for the prices. Read our tips on storing food properly and preserving it.

9) Resist the temptation in the entryway

Offers are often placed temptingly at the entrance to the department store and are attractively presented and encourage customers to grab them. If it is an offer that you need, pay attention to the price in detail. Because not all offers are really cheap. In some cases, lower prices are presented, but in return, there is less in the packaging than usual. Therefore, you can save money when shopping by comparing the prices and specifications of the content. Also, note our tips for saving in the household.

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Lifestyle

8 Savings Tips When Shopping in the Supermarket

Saving money when shopping in the supermarket is necessary for many people. For families, groceries are the second largest expense of the month. Consequently, there is great potential for savings here. We have the most important tips for cheap shopping and the best savings tips.

Saving money when shopping also needs to be learned in order to be able to lead a good life with a small wallet. The following savings tips refer to shopping in supermarkets, discounters, drugstores, and other grocery stores. So that you still have money left over for the nicer things in life.

1) Shop according to plan with shopping list and budget

Basically, before you go shopping, you should set a money limit and write a shopping list. Otherwise, food and other things that you don’t need will end up in the basket. You should therefore use the shopping list as a guide or use a shopping list app.

Consequently, before going shopping in the supermarket, it is worth thinking a little longer about what to buy. If you have 1 or 2 deviations when shopping, that’s not bad at all. But going shopping without a plan increases the risk of taking more products with you. Also, note our tips on protecting the environment in the household with other environmentally friendly shopping tips.

2) Go shopping when you’re full

You should also do the shopping list and do the shopping after eating. Because when you’re hungry, you’re weak-willed and receptive to all the appetizers that abound at the grocery store. And then suddenly the delicious frozen pizza, chips, or chocolate end up in the shopping trolley. In addition, this is one of many psychological tricks to lose weight healthier.

3) Cheap shopping with bulk packs

One of many money-saving tips is to buy bulk packs. Because these are actually cheaper and help you to shop cheaply in the supermarket. But be careful when shopping with special offers and double packs. Here you should compare the content with that of the normal packaging. Because it can happen that the quantity in the double packs is reduced so that you don’t have a big saving. You should also consider whether you will use up and need the pack within the shelf life.

4) Use discount campaigns and bonus programs

While it’s a waste of time when you’re frantically chasing coupons and magazine deals, you can shop for cheap if you keep your eyes open along the way. So browse through the catalogs in the mailbox during your morning coffee. The incidental collection of loyalty points can also be converted into cash after a certain amount of time. It really shouldn’t be any more work. Because time is money too. Some selected discount campaigns of various supermarket chains at a glance:

  • LIDL has heavily discounted items every week.
  • EDEKA has promotional products throughout Germany every week.
  • Regular REWE customers can save with loyalty points.

So far some examples of savings tips when shopping. You can find similar programs or apps in almost all supermarket chains that you should use if you regularly go shopping in a certain market. Also, note our ideas for bargain hunting on the Internet.

5) Save money when shopping with weeklies

Another good money-saving tip when shopping is to keep an eye on the weekly offers and special offers. But be careful, not every special offer is cheap! It’s about comparing here. This is especially true for meat and sausage products. If you have found a suitable offer, you can buy the product in larger quantities and freeze it if necessary. Please note our tips and instructions for freezing food.

6) Buy specific promotional items

The savings tips when shopping also includes the targeted purchase of promotional goods. Because when shopping in the supermarket you will always find an area intended for promotional goods. Then these products can only be found there. If you consciously visit this area with every purchase, you will pay less for things that are on your shopping list anyway. Also, note our article on online auctions on the Internet.

7) Look at the bottom of the shelf and shop cheaply

In order to really save money when shopping in the supermarket, you often only have to bend down. This is one of the best money-saving tips when shopping. Because most of the cheap offers are on the lowest shelves. Meanwhile, there are always expensive products at eye level. Because the easygoing person does not like to bend down. And the market researchers know that too. That’s why the products are usually sorted like this. Also, note our tips for shopping on the Internet.

8) Buy fresh instead of ready-made meals

It is often cheaper to cook fresh meals yourself. Accordingly, make a list of all the finished products that you buy regularly and try to replace them with fresh food. However, one can say that exceptions prove the rule here as well. Because a good pasta sauce in a jar with a special price can be cheaper than all the fresh ingredients. But don’t worry, after you’ve been buying fresh groceries for a while, you’ll start to get a feel for the prices. Read our tips on storing food properly and preserving it.

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