Essen für Alle: When Humanity Meets Technology to Combat Hunger

I recently had the honor of talking to the team behind a Swiss non-profit helping combat hunger in Switzerland, as part of the SAP Customer Conversations: Better Together series, which covers examples of leading-edge organizations using SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP).

The story of Essen für Alle (Food for All) is as heartwarming as it is innovative. Founded in 2020 by Amine Diare-Conde, a former refugee from Guinea, this Swiss non-profit began as a small initiative during the pandemic to provide food to those in need. With only CHF 8.50 in his pocket, Amine took on the challenge of rescuing surplus food and redistributing it to families struggling to make ends meet. “I knew how hard it was to survive, so I made the commitment to create this organization,” he recalls.

Fast forward to today, Essen für Alle feeds over 8,000 families across Switzerland, distributing nearly 30 tons of food each week. Amine credits much of their growth to technological innovation and partnerships. In the early days, they relied on paper lists to track recipients, but the system quickly became inefficient. Enter 13-year-old programmer Matthias, who created the organization’s first digital solution. “It wasn’t perfect, but it was a huge step forward,” Amine says.

As demand grew, so did the need for a scalable, secure system. This is where Kayvon Nadjmabad, an SAP employee and advocate for using technology for social good, stepped in. Recognizing the potential impact of Essen für Alle’s mission, Kayvon championed the integration of SAP’s Business Technology Platform (BTP) to revolutionize their operations. He brought the proposal to SAP leadership, securing sponsorship in just 10 minutes. “I saw an opportunity to combine SAP’s capabilities with Essen für Alle’s mission to create something truly impactful,” Kayvon explains.

The SAP platform now manages recipient registration, volunteer coordination, and AI-powered QR code systems that streamline operations while ensuring data security. “This partnership isn’t just about providing tools,” Kayvon emphasizes. “It’s about empowering an organization to scale its mission and make a real difference.”

Essen für Alle’s success has been recognized globally, winning the SAP Innovation Award as a Transformation Titan in the public sector. “Standing alongside companies like Nestlé was surreal,” Amine says with pride. The award highlights how technology can bridge the gap between food waste and food insecurity.

Looking ahead, the organization aims to expand its reach across Switzerland, enabling families to use a unified system no matter where they are. Amine envisions partnerships with organizations like Caritas to amplify their impact. “Our goal is to create a future where no one in Switzerland goes hungry,” he concludes.

This episode of Better Together dives deep into the inspiring journey of Essen für Alle, the young tech innovators behind its growth, and the power of SAP technology to fuel humanitarian efforts. Don’t miss this moving and motivational conversation about technology, humanity, and the fight against hunger.

Read the full blog post on SAP.com

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