Success at Moonshot’s first Ideathon: Food Sustainability

Moonshot is a student-led organisation, founded by three Imperial College students, Vanessa Tang, Jedidiah Cheung and Soren Vines. Their aim is to create a platform that brings together like-minded individuals passionate about making a positive social impact. It’s a place for people to discuss societal issues, share their thoughts on life’s big questions, challenge each other, and take on initiatives with a purpose.  

Last weekend, Moonshot hosted their first virtual Ideathon on the theme of food sustainability. An ideathon is a quick-fire brainstorming event where students can exercise their entrepreneurial, creative mind and collaborate with others to come up with tangible solutions that address the specific theme of that session. On the topic of food sustainability, groups had to come up with solutions against problems such as food waste/sustainable produce sourcing/packaging/food affordability on university campuses.  

Representatives from various organisations and societies related to food sustainability split into teams and had open conversations about potential solutions. By the end of the session, there were 12 possible solutions. Some of the most interesting ones include:  

1. Leftover Food to Communities: Establish a regulated platform where the university community can redistribute any food leftovers. Learn and get inspired from Facebook groups and apps like Too Good To Go and Olio. Push a sustainable and widespread solution for leftovers at events and catering. 

2. Increase the Number of Microwaves & Compost/ Recycling Bins: Long lines to heat food are fundamental causes in putting off students from bringing packed meals. Pushing the Union to increase the number of microwaves could address this. Furthermore, replacing all general waste bins with specialised bins (e.g. plastic, compost, general) will encourage better treatment of food waste. 

3. Farmer’s Market Subscription Services: Partner with the Farmer’s Market fruit & veg stall to put together weekly subscription services so that students can pick up a pre-packed box of ethically sourced, organic produce at discounted prices. 

4. Increase Awareness: Work with the Union to run campaigns and encouraging food labels to educate the student community about the sustainability of the food they’re consuming. 

Moonshot aims to bring forward these ideas to the Imperial Student Union and discuss which initiatives are feasible to be implemented at the university.  

Ideathons like these, are an excellent way to actively engage in community issues and make a meaningful contribution. If you’re someone who cares about social and environmental issues but isn’t sure of where you can put your burning passion and fantastic ideas to use, check out Moonshot’s website, subscribe to their newsletter, and join their next Ideathon in December!