ON THE VINE
‘FREE’ SUPERMARKET CUTS FOOD WASTE
Food wastage in Australia may be a multi-billion dollar a year problem, but one not-for-profit grocery store in Melbourne’s inner north is doing its bit to prevent produce from going to landfill. The Inconvenience Store, located in Thornbury, is the latest incarnation from the team behind the not-for-profit restaurant Lentil As Anything. Just like the restaurant, the Inconvenience Store is stocked with donated produce that would otherwise be thrown away.
“The idea was to make a difference in the food waste crisis,” project coordinator Astrid Ryan said. And just like the restaurant, customers can pay as much or as little as they can or want.
“We wanted to provide people access to nutritious fruit and vegetables. When people are in financial crisis or difficult situations, it’s probably the thing they have least access to.”
Customers can stock their bags with food, ranging from fruit and vegetables to bread and some packaged items, and then leave a donation in
