Ever heard of Olio? Wondered what its's all about? Well here's our run down of what it is, how it works and why we think you'll like it!
You may have heard people talking about the OLIO App or heard us mentioning OLIO on the SuperSavvySavers Facebook Page but what it is?...
OLIO is a Free App you can download to your phone (download here). Olio connects neighbours with each other and with local businesses so surplus food (and other non-food items) can be shared, instead of being thrown away.
Listed food items could be food nearing its sell-by date in local stores, spare home-grown vegetables you or a neighbour might have, bread from your local baker, or even the groceries left in your fridge when you go away. Olio can also be used for non-food household items too.
To access all the listings in Olio, you'll need to download the app to your mobile phone. Download here.
Download the Olio App from the App Store here - Apple App Store (iphones and ipads)
Download the Olio App from the Google Store here - Google Play Store (Android)
Once the app is installed, you will need to create an account which is easily done by following the prompts and providing the necessary information.
During the account setup process, you will be prompted to input your location details. This helps to connect you with other nearby users, businesses and food waste heroes for item sharing.
How does OLIO work?
There are a couple of different ways to use Olio. You can use the App to request items that you can go and collect to use for yourself, or you can share items that you want to share or give away to someone else.
Requesting Items
You can 'Request' any items you like direct from the OLIO App but it's important to note that you will need to collect these items, usually that same day, so ideally try to find a volunteer in your local area.
As a lot of food items are collected from the supermarkets in the evening, much of the food items need collecting before the food dates expire that same evening. But if you're happy to head out in the evening to collect free food, it can definitely be worth your while and could save you a lot of money!
Other items are available for free too, it's not just food. If someone in your area is having a clear out, you might see free items popping up, so keep an eye out for the non-food items too! You can turn on notifications so your phone pings when there are new listings in your area 👍
Sharing Items
Simply take a photo on your item/s on your phone. Select Add within the Olio App, then select the Type of listing you want to do add. It will prompt you to add a Photo (you can add up to 10 images) and a Title and a Description and the Quantity of how many of the items you have available. You can include pick up instructions, your location and the area you live in, then select Submit. Well done, you've just posted your first Olio listing!
Once the items are listed, they become visible to other Olio users in your area. Interested users can browse through the available items and send requests to pick them up.
Food Waste Heroes
Olio also needs volunteers to collect food items from local supermarkets and other local food retailers, that would ordinarily be thrown away. These volunteers are known as Food Waste Heroes!
Food Waste Heroes collect items from local food retailers (collections are often made in the evenings) and when a collection has been made, the Food Waste Hero photographs all the items they have collected and then posts them to the OLIO App where anyone can then Request to collect any of the listed items.
You can volunteer to become a Food Waste Hero yourself direct in the App. Volunteers are allowed to keep up to 10% of any of their collections. The remaining items of the collections must be photographed and listed within the Olio App. You simple need to register in the App and you will be asked to complete some basic food hygiene training which is all provided for free and can be completed online. All quite straight forward!
More Information about Olio
More info on how to use Olio is available here - How to Use Olio. There is also an Olio Guernsey Facebook community page where I'm sure local volunteers will happily answer any questions you may have.
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