We all know what it feels like not to be perfect.And how much it means when someone shows you that, despite your imperfections, you still matter. That you have something to give. That your life has purpose.

That is exactly the story of our apples from Strašnik.

They weren’t perfect. Some had dents, some had small imperfections, and others had bruises from falling off the trees. Because of this, they were not considered “presentable” enough for supermarket shelves.

But did that make them any less valuable? Not at all! ❤️ 

We turned them into apple juice and smoothies and shared them with citizens, especially the many schoolchildren and young people who happily tasted them. We shared more than 220 juices and smoothies – showing that an apple doesn’t have to look perfect to taste great.

Some children even wanted to try the apples themselves. We cut them up, shared them and once again discovered that something that may not be beautiful enough for a supermarket shelf can be perfect for our table.

And really, isn’t it the same with people?

We don’t have to be perfect to have value.We don’t have to look perfect to make a contribution.Sometimes, all we need is an opportunity to show what we can do.

Our apples were given that opportunity. Instead of ending up discarded as waste, they became juice, smoothies and – most importantly – an opportunity to talk with children and young people about how much food we throw away every day and what each of us can do differently.

Because an “imperfect” apple can become a strudel, jam, compote, juice or smoothie. It simply needs a new opportunity and a new purpose.

Through the event “Food Is Not Waste – I Can Make a Difference!”, we wanted to show exactly that – the value of food is not determined by its appearance.

The event was organized at the initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the Republic of Croatia, bringing together participants of the “Together Against Food Waste” initiative.

The Kolajna ljubavi Association has been a long-standing signatory of the Voluntary Agreement on the Prevention and Reduction of Food Waste, which is why we were especially happy to bring this important topic closer to people in a way that could be seen, tasted and experienced.

Because in the end, the story of our apples from Strašnik is actually very simple:

You don’t have to be perfect to be valuable.You don’t have to be perfect to make a difference.Sometimes, all you need is someone willing to give you a chance. 🍎❤️

Food is not waste. And I can make a difference!