Establishment of the Charity Gallery, the Swiss location of Buy Food with Plastic

Nicaragua inspired Khalil's original vision for Buy Food with Plastic. However, it didn't stop there. During another trip by co-founders Khalil and Anna to Nicaragua, they came across the globally renowned coffee beans from the region.

The dream of a small café in Zurich took shape, where coffee from Nicaragua could be served. Through this business, Buy Food with Plastic could generate income, which would benefit the organization. This could not only create a wonderful place for exchange, but also provide an excellent opportunity to draw attention to the project, while the organization becomes less dependent on donations thanks to the income. A NGO café, full of life, where people come together and share ideas for a better world over a cup of coffee. A space where solutions become tangible and dreams mature into projects.

This place almost came to fruition in 2019 in Kreis 4, also known as «the neighborhood». Ein Ort, which promotes sustainable initiatives and rents out spaces flexibly. But the rent of at least 4,000 CHF per month was far above their budget. The dream of an NGO café came to a standstill. However, during the pandemic, a glimmer of hope appeared. They discovered that is a new opportunity: A smaller space in the same building was vacant. Khalil and Anna asked if they could bring it to life as an interim use, with a concept that promotes sustainability and community. Catering was ruled out by the management – but a gallery? A gallery showing images that celebrate the beauty of nature and make the projects of Buy Food with Plastic visible? The idea for the Charity Gallery was born. 

The managers agreed: For 500 CHF per month, Khalil and Anna could use the space for three months. But what started as a small interim solution developed into something much bigger. The interim use was extended – and extended again – until they could finally fill the Charity Gallery with life for a whole year at this rental price. 

Today, 4 years later, the gallery is not only an exhibition space, but a vibrant hub for ideas and collaboration. This is where the team meets to coordinate all their projects and develop strategies. This is where donors, volunteers, and members come together to exchange ideas and network. The gallery is a place that inspires – others and ourselves.  

A small coffee corner is now part of it too, lovingly furnished, with a donated coffee machine from Pro Kaffeemaschine. A little gem that both members and visitors can enjoy equally, so that visits to the Charity Gallery are partly a supposed pretext to enjoy a cup of coffee. This is less of an accusation and much more an emphasis on the enthusiasm for the coffee machine. You are cordially invited to visit us at our Charity Gallery at Feldstrasse 42, 8004 Zurich to convince yourself of this legendary coffee machine.  

Thanks to our supporters, we can offer warmth and comfort. Plants from Mary and Plants hang from the ceiling and wind their way down to the floor, a sofa from Muuto, tables from Ernst & Wieland provide a cozy seating area, a projector from Rumox AG enables presentations or a movie night, a refrigerator from Sibir provides a little snack, a bite and much more.

In addition to our own activities, we also open the Charity Gallery to external workshops and events. People can use the space to advance their own projects, share ideas, or exchange ideas with others – always with the goal of together making something positive for nature and people happen. 

What began as a dream in Nicaragua became a vibrant space in Zurich that brings people together and helps ideas grow.