Barcelona’s tackling food waste with an innovative solution. The city’s introduced the Rexcatering project, using vending machines to distribute surplus catering meals. The first machine launched Friday at Centre Obert Martí Codolar in Horta-Guinardó.
Residuo Cero Foundation developed this initiative with funding from Barcelona Activa. Other Catalan towns like Lloret de Mar are joining in. The project aims to reduce catering waste whilst helping vulnerable families access quality food.
Social Action Commissioner Sònia Fuertes attended the launch alongside representatives from Plataforma Aprofitem els Aliments, Salesianos Social and Residuo Cero. She called it ‘an example of how we want to work on social policies in Barcelona’. Moreover, she highlighted its ability to combine innovation, continuous improvement and youth awareness.
The system works simply. Schools and centres with catering services can redistribute surplus food through specially installed vending machines. Vulnerable families buy cooked portions for just 1 euro. Meanwhile, Residuo Cero Foundation supplies the packaging machinery and management software to kitchens.
However, there are clear restrictions. The food can’t go to tourist lets or seasonal rentals. Residuo Cero represents Plataforma Aprofitem els Aliments in Catalunya and Andorra. Barcelona Activa funded the project through its ‘Impulsem el que fas 2024’ programme, which allocates 2.5 million euros to strengthen the local economy.
The initiative addresses two problems simultaneously. It cuts food waste from institutional catering and provides affordable meals to families struggling financially. That’s exactly the kind of practical solution Barcelona needs right now.
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