The cost-of-living crisis with rising inflation, the conflict in Ukraine, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and climate change-related events, are deeply affecting people’s access to food and increasing the number of people experiencing food insecurity. In this context, Food Banks continue to be a critical lifeline in preventing food waste and providing safe and edible food to charities helping people in need.
The European Food Banks Federation (FEBA) analysed the impact of the challenging socio-economic circumstances on FEBA Members by giving evidence-based insights into the repercussions of the cost-of-living crisis, on the one hand, on the operations of Food Banks and, on the other hand, on the profile of end beneficiaries supported through charitable organisations.
The results are based on the experience of FEBA Members working daily to recover, collect, and redistribute food1 to a network of charitable organisations providing food assistance to people in need, including quantitative and qualitative research carried out among members in March 2023. The gathered information refers to the period from January to December 2022 and is based on a tailored survey replied to by 27 FEBA Members. 2
No replies have been received from FEBA Members in Malta, Poland, and Slovakia.
of FEBA Members, the cost-of-living crisis is at the forefront of factors strongly affecting daily activities.
of respondents (14 out of 27 FEBA Members) declare that the total quantity of surplus food recovered from the food supply chain increased.
of the respondents (four in five) declared that the costs of running the Food Bank increased in comparison to 2021.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
