Ukraine preparing to launch foodbanking - unsold products will be donated to help pensioners and IDPs

Ukraine is preparing to launch a foodbanking system - unsold products will be donated to help socially vulnerable groups, including internally displaced persons, pensioners, and people with disabilities. It was reported by the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture, the Ukrainian News agency reports.

The Ministry of Economy, together with the Ukrainian Federation of Food Banks, has begun work on the implementation of a foodbanking system, a mechanism that will allow the transfer of food suitable for consumption from business to socially vulnerable groups of the population.

"The relevant memorandum has already been signed, and legislative changes are planned to be developed in the coming months," the statement said.

According to Deputy Minister of Economy Taras Vysotskyi, up to 2.5-2.7 million tons of food are utilized in Ukraine every year, much of which is still suitable for consumption. At the same time, more than 12.7 million Ukrainians need humanitarian aid, which makes the introduction of foodbanking not only economically feasible but also socially necessary.

"Up to 2.5 million tons of food can be utilized annually in Ukraine, which is up to 15-20% of production and consumption. Our task is to reduce these losses as much as possible and direct such products to support people in need," Vysotskyi emphasized.

The Ministry of Economy notes that foodbanking provides for a clear model of interaction: manufacturers and retailers will transfer unsold but safe products to food banks - non-profit organizations that will sort, store and form food packages. Later, these products or ready-to-eat meals will be distributed free of charge to people in difficult life circumstances.

This practice currently exists in Ukraine on a voluntary basis, but the goal is to make it systemic. To this end, it is planned to adopt a separate law "On Food Banks" and to amend tax and environmental legislation. In particular, it is about introducing two types of expiration dates, tax incentives for business and the obligation of large retailers to transfer unsold products.

It is expected that the introduction of the foodbanking system will allow to:

reduce the amount of food waste and the cost of its disposal (which currently reaches almost UAH 9.6 billion per year);

provide food for millions of Ukrainians, including internally displaced persons, pensioners, and people with disabilities;

reduce the burden on the state budget;

create additional incentives for socially responsible business.

Vysotskyi noted that currently the interim goal is to allocate up to 50% of unsold but suitable products to social needs, and in the long term - up to 80%, which will be in line with European practices.

Food banks are a global network of logistics hubs that specialize in redistributing surplus food from producers to those in need. The first food bank was founded in 1967 in Phoenix, Arizona (US).

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to pay a one-time targeted supplement in April in the amount of UAH 1,500 for pensioners and citizens receiving social assistance.

To request a correction, please send an email.