Sambro man combats food waste with grocery share site
Stephanie vanKampen | CBC News | Posted: November 2, 2016 11:00 AM | Last Updated: November 2, 2016
Group members buy food in bulk, sell what they can't eat
A new food sharing group on social media offers Halifax residents a place to buy, sell or trade surplus groceries.
The idea was the brainchild of Jared Kaley, who wanted to find a way to avoid throwing so much food into the compost bin. The Sambro man likens the project to the popular classifieds site, Kijiji, but for food.
Kaley controls the membership, which has jumped to more than 325 people in a week.
"When I first started this, I really thought it was going to be just single people or people with no kids," Kaley said.
He said he quickly discovered it was a widespread issue.
Minimizing waste
The website tackles both increasing food prices and food waste. Kaley said it allows people who buy in bulk, or buy multiple items on sale, to avoid wasting the food while making a buck. Although he noted, money-making isn't the focus.
"We thought if we could pass some of that food on to other people, at a price that they could afford, it would be beneficial to everybody involved."
He doesn't allow participants to sell or trade alcohol or tobacco.
Already, a few exchanges have taken place, Kaley said.
Tracking purchases
One user who snagged 13 bags of frozen vegetables for a dollar each wrote on the site, "I am very thankful, being a single mom of three."
Another member is looking for someone to split the cost of half a cow to be butchered.
Kaley said members are encouraged to keep receipts for products, and provide proof of purchase when trading or selling. He also said it's up to members to use their discretion when buying a product, especially meats or unpackaged foods.
"Kind of an original idea, so who knows, maybe it will catch on and go across the country."
The group can be found on Facebook as HRM Grocery Share.