Espiga Solidaria

Food Rescue and Distribution in Girona

Grup l'Espiga Solidària is a nonprofit based in Girona, Catalonia, that collects surplus staple foods and distributes them to people and groups in need. It began in 2004 as an initiative of Joan Jordà i Sureda, with six founding members, and operates with a volunteer team.

Operations and Reach

The organization collects surplus food from suppliers in Gironès, Garrotxa, Selva, and Osona, as well as from other organizations, and distributes it through charities. The published information lists 16 volunteers and two delivery vans. The group moves between 200 and 300 metric tons of food each year, supplementing food supplies for about 4,000 people.

Commonly collected items include potatoes, milk, fruit, bread, and cookies. The organization has said it especially needs rice, oil, legumes, pasta, and sugar and also accepts donations of sheets and blankets.

Partner Organizations

Food distribution is handled through social organizations. Those named include 14 parish Cáritas groups, three addiction recovery centers, Cotolengo del Padre Alegre, and the Little Sisters of the Poor in Girona, Vic, and Manresa. The organization has also worked with the Food Bank Foundation and the Catalan Federation of Underwater Activities (FECDAS) to distribute fresh local fish for charitable purposes.

Service Area

Its priority is Girona province, though it also delivers in Barcelona, Vic, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Badalona, and other Catalan towns. The organization has said that needs in Barcelona exceed its capacity, so it focuses its efforts on the Girona area.

Contact

• Email: espigasolidaria@gmail.com
• Blog: espigasolidaria.blogspot.com.es
• YouTube: youtube.com/user/fecdastv