This month FoodCloud is delighted to spotlight the award-winning project Bia Box.  This was the idea of a group of  students of Enactus TU Dublin. FoodCloud itself was started after an Enactus event, so we’re excited to support the next evolution of food redistribution. 

‍

Enactus is a global network spanning over 35 countries. Their mission is to develop the next generation of leaders with the skills and behaviors needed to lead responsibly and make a positive impact on the world. They do this by  encouraging young people to identify real problems, seek opportunities, and take action to make a difference. 

‍

Every year they host an award ceremony called the Enactus World Cup. The Enactus World Cup is like the “Olympics for doing good”.  Bia Box is this year’s winner for Ireland and the UK and they will compete at the final in Brazil this November. To reach the Enactus World Cup final puts them in the the top 1% of university Enactus teams across the world. A tremendous achievement!

From Campus Pantry to Community Delivery

‍

After the success of their ReFridge community pantry on the TU Grangegroman campus, Enactus Society students asked themselves if they could launch a similar project that would benefit  the wider community.

The team organised an event on campus where families in need could come and collect surplus food provided by FoodCloud. At this event they witnessed a father covering his face so as not to be recognised. More families than ever in Ireland are facing food insecurity and food poverty, but there’s still so much stigma attached to needing help. The students recognised that when support feels embarrassing, exposing or uncomfortable, many of the people who need it most do not engage with it

‍

Students conducted research and identified three primary barriers to food access: transport, time, and the stigma associated with seeking support. 

‍

These students posed the question: “How can we reduce food waste while simultaneously removing the stigma?”

The answer is Bia Box (Bia being the Irish word for ‘food’).

‍

A Dignified Model for Food Support

‍

Bia Box is a direct surplus food delivery subscription service. By delivering surplus food directly to families' homes, the model creates a private, dignified shopping experience. While the food itself is provided for free through the university’s network, subscribers pay a small monthly fee (or a ‘pay-as-you-go’ fee) to cover the logistics and operational costs.

‍

The project was made possible through a partnership with Enterprise Mobility who provided the vital transport support and one of their drivers to do the deliveries. All the food is surplus food provided by FoodCloud. 

‍

Proven Impact

‍

The team recently concluded a four-week pilot campaign with a local primary school in a lower socio-economic area, yielding impressive results:

• 37 families directly supported.
• 1613kgs of surplus food redistributed.
• 3,840 meals provided to those in need.
• 3742kgs of CO₂ emissions avoided.

‍

Looking Ahead: Building Community

‍

The team isn't stopping at home delivery. To further tackle the issue of stigma and help people make the best use of surplus ingredients, Bia Box is set to launch community cooking sessions in local kitchen spaces, including the TU Dublin Culinary Arts department. These sessions aim to turn cooking with surplus food into a social, positive, and dignified experience.

We are proud to see Enactus TU Dublin continuing to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through such creative, human-centered action. Bia Box is a powerful reminder that when we design for dignity, we don't just reduce waste—we build stronger communities. 

‍