A Food Rescue Center? What is that?

In our world where we consume abundant food, food waste remains a challenge. At InstockMarket, we are trying to make a difference. We collaborate with farmers, growers, producers, and hospitality establishments to combat food waste. All of this takes place in our Food Rescue Center. We would be happy to tell you more about it.

At the Instock Food Rescue Center, we receive food waste streams. These are carefully inspected for quality and then repackaged as products suitable for the hospitality industry.

How does it work on the ground?

1. Food transportation: Our employees receive food waste streams from various sources such as farmers, growers, and producers. They ensure that the food is brought in safely and hygienically.
2. Sorting and quality control: At the Food Rescue Center, we thoroughly sort and inspect the collected food. Our employees check the quality, freshness, and shelf life of the products. Damaged or spoiled items are removed, ensuring that only safe and usable food is redistributed.
3. Storage: The rescued food is stored properly. Depending on the type of food, it is placed in refrigerated cells, freezers, or pantry areas. We strive to maintain the quality and freshness of the food until it can be distributed.
4. Distribution: Our Food Rescue Center collaborates with corporate catering, restaurants, hotels, production kitchens, and food banks to redistribute the rescued food. Our employees ensure that the food is properly packaged and labeled, making it easy to distribute.

What about the software?

Since the products we receive come from many different producers, the process is more complex than that of a regular wholesaler. At our Food Rescue Center, we utilize smart software to capture information about the received food, such as quantity, origin, expiration date, and other important details. Each product batch we receive is assigned a special lot number to ensure traceability.

In addition, behind the scenes, calculations are made to determine the yield for the producer. Furthermore, calculating the impact is crucial for us. Each item in our system has its climate impact stated on the product card. This includes CO2 emissions, land usage, and water consumption. We can easily communicate this information to our suppliers and chefs.

By continuing to invest in software, we aim to proactively send messages to our suppliers regarding potential food waste. For example, we can notify them of significant hailstorms that may affect a pear harvest.

What does the Food Rescue Center look like from the inside?

To carry out our activities efficiently and in compliance with food regulations, our Food Rescue Center requires various essential facilities and features, including:

• Refrigerated cells and freezers: These are necessary to maintain the rescued food at the appropriate temperature and prevent spoilage. They ensure that perishable products remain fresh until they are redistributed.
• CO2 installation: This installation helps maintain the correct temperature, humidity levels, and air circulation in the refrigerated cells and freezers, which is essential for preserving the quality and freshness of the food.
• Racks and storage systems: These are important for keeping the stored food inventory organized and easily accessible. They ensure that different types of food are stored safely and hygienically.
• The airlock: This is an intermediate space between the external environment and the interior of the Food Rescue Center. It helps keep the products cool and free from dust until they are sorted.
• Food Regulations: Our facility complies with food regulations and hygiene standards applicable to food storage and distribution. We ensure compliance with food safety regulations, hygiene practices, and maintain detailed records of received and redistributed food inventory.

Curious or have questions? Book our inspiration room starting from September. Feel free to also visit our website at https://instockmarket.nl/ to see the products that our Food Rescue Center receives.