Bene Bono, the startup that saves organic fruits and vegetables rejected by major supermarkets for aesthetic reasons, is commencing its operations in Barcelona after successfully raising a substantial amount of funding. With an impressive investment of €7 million, Bene Bono is set to tackle the issue of food waste head-on. The primary objective of the company is to rescue and salvage over 7 tonnes of imperfect fruits and vegetables every week, contributing to the reduction of unnecessary food disposal.
Barcelona holds a key position in Bene Bono’s expansion plans. The city has been designated as the World Capital of Sustainable Food in 2021, making it an ideal location for the startup’s innovative approach. With over 30 producers already on board, customers can conveniently subscribe to weekly baskets of organic fruits and vegetables, which are available for delivery or pick-up at various locations across the city.
The arrival of Bene Bono in Barcelona signifies a significant step in the fight against food waste. The city has been designated as the World Capital of Sustainable Food in 2021, making it an ideal location for the startup’s innovative approach. With over 30 producers already on board, customers can conveniently subscribe to weekly baskets of 100% organic fruits and vegetables, cultivated in Spain which are available for delivery or pick-up at various locations across the city at approximately 30% cheaper price. By supporting local farmers and providing an avenue for the sale of produce typically rejected by traditional distribution channels due to aesthetic imperfections such as size or shape, Bene Bono is making an amazingly positive impact on the agricultural community.
According to the Catalan Waste Agency, the average person generates 35 kilos of food waste annually, with 58% of this waste occurring in households within Catalonia. In their efforts to combat this alarming issue, Bene Bono has been operating in Spain since February, already making impressive strides in the fight against food waste. With their innovative approach, they have successfully saved over 55 tonnes of organic fruits and vegetables and conserved more than 27.5 million litres of water.
Sven Ripoche, co-founder of Bene Bono, expressed excitement about the company’s arrival in Barcelona, emphasising the city’s importance and the warm reception they anticipate. The startup’s success story in France, where they have amassed over 15,000 weekly consumers and built a network of more than 300 farmers and cooperatives, serves as a testament to their dedication. Having saved over 1,000 tonnes of organic produce and significantly reduced CO2 emissions and water consumption, Bene Bono is poised to replicate its accomplishments in Spain.
Bene Bono was founded in April 2020 by Grégoire Carlier, Sven Ripoche, and Claire Laurent. Their unique service connects organic farmers and producers directly with consumers, ensuring that products not accepted by traditional distribution channels find a market, Bene Bono aims to make a lasting impact on the fight against food waste in Europe by intervening at the upstream end of the value chain.
