Food Waste Management Volunteer Program in Portugal

Overview

If you are keen to volunteer for a social cause and help several hungry people to have a stomach-full meal, then join us and contribute towards the cause of reducing food waste in Porto.

Volunteering abroad is a great opportunity to acquire new skills, meet new people from different cultures, and grow as an individual. Volunteering Solutions aims to provide you with a wide variety of volunteer programs that focus on immersing into the culture of another country and helping the local communities directly.

Being a volunteer for the Food Waste Management Project would be a perfect choice for gap year travellers, individual volunteers as well as groups, who wish to travel together and combine their efforts in making a difference.

The program is designed to combat food waste while supporting those in need. It achieves this by providing daily meals to those less fortunate, all while engaging the local community. In Portugal, there are many initiatives dedicated to rescuing surplus food and ensuring it reaches those who need it most.

As a part of this program, you will actively contribute to fighting food waste and hunger in a structured system that feeds over 3000 people every day. You will help the local teams collecting, organising and distributing the excess food from restaurants and cafés to fight food waste in the city. Volunteers will support a centre which recovers food, in good conditions, from local restaurants, supermarkets, and cafés and re-distribute it among families, elderly and homeless people in need. These are people who need food support to feed them and their families.

Volunteers can be working across the centres in Porto and their tasks will include collecting the food from local providers, assisting with packaging it, cleaning used containers, assisting with sorting and storage of any food left for the next day, distributing it to the families and clean up at the end of the shift.

To say the least, it’ll be immensely satisfying to volunteer for such a noble cause.

Why is the Project Important ?

Each year, around 1 million tons of food are wasted in Portugal, equating to nearly 274,000 kilograms per day. This amount of food could feed approximately 360,000 people in need across the country.

The majority of food waste occurs in households, with families responsible for 31% of the total waste in Portugal. Agriculture follows as the second-largest contributor. Common causes of food waste include expired food and improper storage practices.

Food waste has a significant environmental impact. It’s not just a social issue—its environmental consequences are profound. Food waste contributes to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This happens because when food rots in landfills, it decomposes and releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. For every kilogram of food wasted, about 2.5 kilograms of CO2 equivalent are released. Methane emissions account for approximately 25% of global warming.

Additionally, the environmental toll extends to agriculture. Roughly 30% of the resources used to grow food end up being wasted. This includes water, which has the largest footprint of any country due to food waste. According to WWF, around 66 trillion liters of water are wasted each year on food that never gets consumed. For example, throwing away just one kilogram of bananas is equivalent to running a shower for 84 minutes.

Volunteer Work Schedule

After the orientation day, volunteers will be assigned a morning, afternoon or evening shift at the project placement and will work for approximately 4 hours per day depending on the schedule of the project.

Typical schedule of volunteers in Porto is as outlined below :

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Typical tasks in the program for volunteers include -

Get involved in food preparation activities if required
Be a part of food collection teams in supermarkets, restaurants and bakeries
Packing of food items in small containers and storing them in refrigerators
Organising the food containers for the beneficiary or family
Helping out in quality control checks
Delivering food to beneficiaries

Please note that the tasks may vary from time to time depending on the requirements at the center.

Project Requirement

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. You need to have an open mind and a flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Participants must be fit and healthy at the time of joining the program. Participants should have no criminal convictions and should provide a clean criminal background check report.

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Volunteer for Fighting Food Waste and Hunger - Portugal

Living

Airport Transfer
You will be picked up on arrival at Porto airport and transferred to the volunteer accommodation. A driver will be waiting for you at the airport when you arrive and the coordinator is reachable 24/7, in case of any travel updates or troubles. For those participants who will already be in Porto beforehand just let us know and we will arrange your pick up from any location in Porto.

Orientation
On the first day of the program, all participants are given an introductory presentation with the group giving further details of the program along with a walking tour of Porto city center for approximately two hours.

Accommodation

Volunteers will stay in a centrally located hostel, just a short walk from Campanhã train and metro stations. The area offers convenient access to essential amenities, including supermarkets, charming cafés, lively bars, and various public transport options.

The hostel provides cozy shared rooms, accommodating up to six people in either female-only or mixed dormitories. Each room features shared bathroom facilities, individual lockers for personal belongings, and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property.

Common areas include a fully equipped shared kitchen, a comfortable indoor lounge, and several social spaces where you can connect with fellow travelers. Outside, there’s a small green area with a dining space—perfect for enjoying Portugal’s warm weather. The hostel is known for its welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff.

Private room upgrades can be arranged for an additional fee.

Meals
Each morning, volunteers will enjoy breakfast at a local café, featuring fresh, traditional Portuguese pastries, bread, and coffee.

Lunch and dinner are served at a nearby restaurant that offers delicious Portuguese cuisine made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free options are available upon request to accommodate dietary needs.

During your Free Time
The weekends are free for you to get to know Portugal in a better way. We can help you to book the trips that you want to go to any point in the country. Besides that, we have one or two day programs, where you will have unique experiences on your own or in a group.

Volunteers can also join Portuguese Lessons. The language lessons are available for all volunteers, regardless of their starting level. By taking these classes, you will be able and communicate more effectively during your stay!

The language lessons are tailored to each volunteer’s current Portuguese level and are taught by a professional Portuguese teacher. All the classes run from Monday to Friday, and the cost is very affordable.

During your free time and the weekends, you can enjoy our tours and activities, or simply be on your own, relaxing and exploring!

Some of the tours and experiences that you can enjoy during the free time include :-

Douro, Port and Moscatel Tour – Visit the vineyards, taste the different wines and have a typical lunch with amazing views
Minho and Vinho Verde Alvarinho Tour – Visit beautiful Viana do Castelo, Melgaço, and Monção, taste the Vinho Verde and some of the best Portuguese cuisine
Aveiro and Bairrada Sparkling Wine Tour – Visit the beautiful city of Aveiro and get to know its wonders and traditions

Dates

January

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Available

Filling Fast

Booked Out

Costs

Duration	Program Fee	Choose your currency
1 Week	$952
2 Weeks	$1389
3 Weeks	$1826
4 Weeks	$2262
5 Weeks	$2699
6 Weeks	$3135
7 Weeks	$3572
8 Weeks	$4008
Extra Week	$500

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. A 5% international banking fee is charged for credit card payments of program fee in USD/AUD.

What are you Paying For?

Airport Pickup and Transfer to accommodation
Introduction session and Placement Orientation
Guided Porto City Center Walking Tour
Accommodation at a dormitory at a centrally located hostel in Porto
Three meals a day
Shared use of common spaces and free WiFi
Volunteer placement coordination
Suggestion of weekly activities with the other volunteers
In-country staff support 24/7 (and the best local tips to discover the city)
Pre Departure Info Booklet
Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
Certificate of Participation(On Request)

What's NOT Included?

Round-Trip Flights to Portugal
Return Airport Drop
Visa Fees
Vaccinations
Any personal expenses

FAQ's

Application and Program Details

Can I volunteer as part of a group?: Yes, you are welcome to take part in the Programs in Portugal as part of a group. We welcome families, friends, high school students, college/university and corporate groups to volunteer together.
I haven’t traveled or volunteered abroad before. Can I still be a part of VolSol?: Yes, most definitely you can as we believe every participant brings something new to the project. If you do not have previous experience, we offer you the opportunity to have a great start with us. We make international volunteering easy – not only are our Volunteer Abroad opportunities rooted in offering you extensive support, but they are also very affordable.
What is the best time to apply for the volunteering project in Portugal?: As we have limited spots available in our programs and we serve on first come first basis, it is strongly recommended to apply for the program and reserve your spot in the program well in advance. You can book your spot in the program by filling an online form and pay the application fee.

Once you complete your application, your individual 'My Account' will be active in which you will receive your placement confirmation after which you can pay the program fees. You can pay the program fees later as well in installments, but 45 days before the program starts.
Does VolSol provide with a reference or a certificate after program completion?: Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The certificate is provided on request.
How long will it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted ?: After you complete your application, your personalized ‘My Account’ will be active. You will need to upload your CV/Resume along with your photo in the same. Our backend team and the placement site takes around 10-12 days to review your application. After we review your CV and documents, your booking is confirmed and booking confirmation is updated in your ‘My Account’. Some projects need a mandatory criminal background check and the same is mentioned in the project info of your program. Approval of your application depends on your qualification and eligibility criteria for each project.
Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the programs?: Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the program. The minimum age requirement for Food Waste Management program is 17 years. Participants under 18 need to provide signed parental consent prior to joining the program.Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. The participant must be in good health.
How do I get to the program location?: Your program coordinator or a member of the local coordinating team will take you to your placement and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program, its surroundings and other facilities around the location.
What are the program locations in Portugal?: The volunteering programs in Portugal are primarily located in and around Porto, the second largest city in Portugal. You can choose to be a part of the Food Waste Management Program in Porto, Youth Support Program in Porto, Hedgehog Conservation Program or Horse Patrolling and Environment Protection Project in Porto.

Health and Safety

What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?: All participants are recommended to consult their physician or travel doctor before traveling to Portugal.To view the general list of vaccinations recommended for your travel to Portugal, https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/portugal"; target="_blank">click here.
Do I need to buy health insurance?: Yes, for all participants, it is mandatory to have a valid travel medical insurance for their trip. Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.

If you already have a valid Travel and Medical insurance, you can email us a copy of the same. It is also advised to bring along the Insurance documents during your trip.
How safe is Portugal?: According to a study made by the Institute for Economics and Peace, The Global Peace Index 2018 says that Portugal is the 4th safest country in the world. That, we believe, solves all your doubts. For more information about safety, do take a look at the Pre-departure Guidebook.

Accommodation and Living

Can I know more about accommodation and food arrangements?: Accommodation in Porto:

Volunteers in Porto are accommodated at a centrally located hostel.Located right at the city center, the hostel, provides a wide range of rooms, from dormitories to private rooms, a spacious and friendly lounge area where you can hang out, chill, listen to music, enjoy the atmosphere, play some games, and get to know other fellow travellers while enjoying a nice cold beer, a tasty cocktail or a glass of the famous Porto wine! The welcoming staff will always be there to make the guests experience to the fullest! All the guests can count on the best tips about the city, an endless energy and a welcoming smile!!

Portuguese food is delicious and during your time in Portugal, you will be sure to receive some incredible treats.The meals are prepared daily by a local non profit that promotes social integration of vulnerable people by assisting them with professional training. Volunteers are provided with three meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner).

Breakfast is self-serve at the accommodation and generally includes tea, coffee, bread, cheese, ham, spreads, cereal, yogurt and fruit.The non-profit will prepare lunch and dinner for you ! It is a 4 min walk from the hostel, where you can heat it, store it or eat it straight away. Besides, the hostel has a shared kitchen where you can store your food, cook or prepare your meals anytime you need.

Connect with Past Volunteers

How can I connect with past Volunteering Solutions alumni as well as other former and current volunteers?: We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions program participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the https://www.facebook.com/VolunteeringSolutions/"; target="_blank">Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or https://www.facebook.com/groups/VolunteeringSolutions/"; target="_blank">Facebook Group to communicate with other participants.

To read alumni interviews from past participants, https://www.volunteeringsolutions.com/meet-a-volunteer"; target="_blank">visit the Meet a Volunteer page on our website.

Flights and Visa

Can I know more about flight details, visa and arrival information?: Lufthansa, Tap Portugal, Emirates, British Airways and Iberia are the top airlines flying to Portugal. You would need a Schengen Visa to travel to Portugal, which should be applied at the respective embassy. No visa is necessary if you are a US Citizen and will be traveling to Portugal for up to 90 days. However, you will need a valid u.s. Passport for at least 3 months from the date of planned return or other travel document recognized by member states of the Schengen agreement. For more details regarding the Visa requirements, it'll be good if you can get in touch with our Program Advisor while applying.

Once you arrive at the airport, our in-country coordinator will be there to be in touch with you. You'll be taken to your accommodation where you can rest before kickstarting your amazing journey.