The project's goal is to fight everyday food waste and to raise awareness about this problem in society.

In early 2012 the design students Thomas Gerling and Christian Zehnter, and television journalist Ines Rainer, independently came up with a similar idea.

[10] Since most supermarkets are organized as chains and therefore each branch has to follow standardized rules and regulations, the management is contacted directly.

Additionally, foodsavers also collect surplus food from businesses at large events such as Christmas markets.

In order to become a Foodsaver, one has to pass a test regarding hygiene and behavioural rules and can then apply to become a member of a group that regularly pick up food from cooperating businesses.

Other organizations like the German Tafel differ from foodsharing in that in the latter, the surplus food is given to people before date expires.

Volunteers (so-called 'foodsavers') need to sign a legal agreement that renders the businesses not liable and obliges the foodsavers to pass on the food for free, along with information as to its food-saved nature.