As the global economy struggles and the energy crisis continues, Danish food prices are soaring at even higher rates than inflation overall. The price of a carton of milk is nearly 22% higher now than it was this time last year, while bread prices are around 15% more expensive. Students, who are typically on a tight budget, are feeling the crunch – and they’re resorting to some creative methods to save money on food in Aarhus.
Written by Ramisha Ali, Kenneth Ip and Veronika Ebner
From dumpster diving to using apps to buy leftover meals, Danes and international students alike are finding ways to save a krone or two. In Aarhus, Denmark’s major student hub, thrifty young people have long sought ways to save money on food and reduce food waste, in line with the city’s overall push to convert household leftovers into energy and fertilizer beginning next year. But as the price of consumer goods rises, some locals are struggling to stretch their budgets far enough.
“Rising energy prices make production of food more expensive, and then also because of the war between Russia and Ukraine, we have low supply of food,” said Bo Sandemann Rasmussen, an economics professor at Aarhus University. “It is something that is really hurting the groups with low income … [and students] will feel that they’re being particularly hard hit.”
Food insecurity can have severe consequences. In 2018, a landmark study from the University of Copenhagen found that when economically vulnerable Danes’ grocery budgets are tight, the quality of their food declines – and so does their diet, mental well-being and overall quality of life.
The crisis is prompting some young people, including university students, to go to great lengths to find free or cheap food. Below, take a deeper dive into the strategies that Aarhus residents are using to save money on meals.
Dumpster Diving to save money on food in Aarhus
Searching for discarded groceries near supermarkets has become popular in Aarhus, with divers sharing dumpster locations and best practices online.
Too Good to Go
A popular food-saving platform has roots in Denmark. Play the video below to see how it works.
Too Good To Go connects people with local businesses that have extra food that otherwise would’ve been thrown out, allowing users to claim cheap meals and prevent food waste. At the restaurant or supermarket’s designated time – often around closing – users show up to collect their “Surprise Bag,” while the app keeps tabs on how much users have saved through their purchases.
The company launched in Copenhagen in 2016, and has since expanded to 15 other countries. This year, it’s among the most-downloaded food and drink apps worldwide, according to analytics firm Apptopia.
Community Fridges
Some groups offer support to struggling locals. In the city center, Foodsharing Aarhus runs a free community fridge, which is restocked with fresh fruits and vegetables twice per week. It’s located in Café Mellemfolk, a volunteer-run space that’s part of a Danish nonprofit focused on sustainability and social cohesion.
Jacob Lang Laursen, Café Mellemfolk’s project coordinator, brought the community fridge to the space roughly two and a half years ago after connecting with organizers from Foodsharing Aarhus. He said the fridge is “well-trafficked,” mostly by young people who appear to be students.
“Every single day I see someone going in there,” Laursen said. “It’s just totally open. No registration, nothing. Just go in, take food and that’s it.”
Jacob Lang Laursen, Café Mellemfolk’s project coordinator, stands by the facility’s community fridge. Click through the photo to see how to navigate the community fridge.
Meanwhile, nearby Skraldecaféen offers a community fridge and free meals to people in need, operating under a similar ethos of social change and community-mindedness.Both groups rely on students and other young people to volunteer their time and effort to acquire food donations.
Your Turn
So, what kind of food scavenger are you, and what’s the best way for you to save money on food in Aarhus? Take the quiz below to find out whether you’re best suited to dumpster diving, community fridges, an app – or none of the above.
