A new food rescue model in Hungary enables even small food surpluses to reach people in need—thanks to a partnership between the Hungarian Food Bank and courier service Wolt.
To further reduce food waste and reach those in need more effectively, the Hungarian Food Bank Association has recently introduced a new redistribution model called “Coordinated Delivery Services.” This innovative initiative addresses a critical gap in the existing food rescue processes, where surplus food quantities are often too small for the Food Bank to collect.
The solution? A flexible, last-mile logistics approach. In search of an effective partner, the Food Bank connected with Wolt, a food delivery service provider. Recognizing the social impact potential, Wolt eagerly joined the initiative as part of their corporate social responsibility strategy, offering their delivery services on a low-bono basis. The remaining logistics costs are covered by the Food Bank’s financial supporters.
Under this model, the Hungarian Food Bank Association acts as a dispatcher, coordinating between surplus food donors and Wolt couriers. The collected food is then delivered directly to charitable organizations, with a particular focus on homeless shelters. To ensure food safety and maximize usability, blast chillers were also installed in two partner charity organizations, enabling them to store meals when immediate distribution isn’t possible—especially during late-evening deliveries.
Since its pilot launch in July 2024, the model has connected 8 donors and successfully saved over 10,000 meals. Encouraged by the early results, the Hungarian Food Bank expects the initiative to grow significantly, aiming to redistribute more than 100,000 meals in 2025.
This model highlights how cross-sector collaboration and innovative logistics can unlock new opportunities in the fight against food waste—delivering not just meals, but also hope, to those who need it most.
