Our Kiez-Box has to move

Over the past few months, we have launched the Kiez-Box at Markthalle Neun, a public food distribution station for the neighborhood. Together with the Verbraucherzentrale (Berlin Consumer Advice Centre) and the Senate Department for Justice and Consumer Protection, we have drawn up a hygiene plan to ensure the Kiez-Box for rescued food operates in accordance with food law regulations. Our team from the Kochschule Neun has taken on all tasks relating to the Kiez-Box (cleaning, checks, etc.) – but sometimes things don’t go quite as planned.

The guidelines for operating such a community fridge stipulate, amongst other things, that the Kiez-Box must be under constant supervision. During an inspection, the food safety authorities deemed our approach to be inadequate and have made the presence of a designated supervisor close by a prerequisite for continued operation. We have subsequently examined many options and have come to the conclusion that this requirement cannot be met given the current capacities of the organisations involved. For this reason, we must now bring this joint project to an end and deeply regret that it has not come to pass. The Kiez-Box will be relocated to another site where the requirements can be better met. We will continue to work on the issue of reducing food waste and remain committed to combating it.

You can find further information about the Kiez-Box (in German) at: www.verteilstationen.de.