Background on the Issue and Relevance of the Mentioned Person
In Mexico, an alarming 30 million metric tons of edible food are wasted each year, equivalent to two truckloads per minute. Meanwhile, 44 million people face food insecurity. In response to this pressing issue, the Mexican Network of Food Banks (Red BAMX), comprising 60 food banks across the country in partnership with Grupo Farrera, has developed “Al Rescate,” a logistical model that recovers over 180 million kilograms of food annually, benefiting 2.5 million vulnerable individuals.
Expansion Across Mexico
Mariana Jiménez, the General Director of Red BAMX, announced in an interview with El Economista that the “Al Rescate” program currently operates primarily in Chiapas and the Mexico City area through the “Balcón del Zócalo” restaurant. By the end of this year, Red BAMX plans to extend the model to all states where Grupo Farrera has a presence: Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Yucatán, and Veracruz.
Ambitious Goals and Strategic Partnerships
As part of its Agenda 2030, BAMX aims to cut food waste by half in all locations where Grupo Farrera operates. To achieve this, strategic alliances and key agreements with restaurant sector actors are crucial. Jiménez explained that their strategy goes beyond mere recovery of surplus food; it enables hotels and restaurants to pinpoint critical control points in their supply chains, preventing waste from the earliest stages.
Environmental Focus and Impact
The environmental aspect of this project is equally important. “When food goes to waste, it becomes a source of greenhouse gas emissions, mainly methane, which accounts for 20% of global emissions and has a thermal retention capacity 86 times greater than CO2,” Jiménez pointed out. Consequently, this initiative not only nourishes at-risk communities but also helps mitigate climate change impacts.
Call for Awareness and Involvement
Although this endeavor significantly aids vulnerable populations by rescuing millions of kilograms of food and attending to thousands of individuals, it only partially addresses the national environmental and social challenges. Therefore, Red BAMX’s director urges the public to raise awareness about managing surplus and engage in food rescue initiatives. She emphasizes that every action, whether supporting society or protecting the environment, counts.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the problem that Red BAMX aims to address? The organization tackles the issue of food waste in Mexico, where millions of metric tons of edible food are discarded annually while 44 million people struggle with food insecurity.
- How does the “Al Rescate” program work? This logistical model recovers over 180 million kilograms of surplus food each year, benefiting 2.5 million vulnerable individuals across Mexico.
- What are Red BAMX’s goals? By 2030, BAMX aims to reduce food waste by half in all locations where Grupo Farrera operates.
- Why is the environmental aspect of this project crucial? When food goes to waste, it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas responsible for 20% of global emissions and contributing to climate change.
- What message does Red BAMX convey to the public? The organization encourages individuals to be aware of food surplus management and participate in food rescue initiatives, recognizing that every action makes a difference for both society and the environment.
