TOPIC:

Initiative

SUBMITTED FROM:

It is the 1st organization in Greece with the sole purpose of fighting hunger and limiting food waste in Greece.

Since its establishment, it has been an equal member of the European Federation of Food Banks (FEBA), bringing to Greece the model and structure of the rest of Europe's Food Banks.

There are 6 Food Banks operating in Greece: in Attica, Thessaloniki, Thessaly, Drama, Epirus and Crete and they are represented internationally by the European Food Banks Federation (FEBA).

In Europe there are now more than 336 Food Banks in 29 countries and new ones are constantly opening. They are members of the European Food Banks Federation (FEBA) based in Brussels. The success of the institution is due to the fact that it is the most effective way to combine the fight against hunger with the reduction of waste.

Purpose, the limitation of food waste and the utilization of products to fight hunger, which cannot be absorbed by the market.

With a central slogan "We don't throw anything away", our suppliers provide us with products every day which are either short-lived or have defective packaging but have not been spoiled.

Then we distribute them to institutions, charity meals and charity meals. There our volunteers cook every day ensuring a plate of food to everyone who needs it.

Objective Action

The Food Bank’s initiative pursues a threefold objective:

to prevent food waste by rescuing surplus products suitable for consumption,
to cover the nutritional needs of vulnerable groups,
to mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving natural resources.

Thus, it simultaneously reduces the environmental footprint and strengthens social cohesion.

Target Audience

Vulnerable social groups supported by soup kitchens, institutions, and NGOs.
Food companies, producers, and retail chains seeking responsible management of surplus products.
Society as a whole, benefiting from reduced environmental impacts of food waste.

Duration

Ongoing since the Food Bank’s establishment in 1995, with the environmental assessment formalized in 2025.

Description

The initiative is based on the systematic collection, management, and redistribution of surplus food that is safe for consumption but cannot be absorbed by the market.
In 2024, the Food Bank managed 1,047,933 kg of food across 10 different categories (fruits and vegetables, dairy, cereals, ready meals, etc.).
An innovative element is the scientific environmental assessment using 16 internationally recognized impact indicators, conducted in collaboration with Harokopio University. This highlights the direct link between food waste prevention and environmental footprint reduction.

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Impact on Society

In 2024, the Food Bank:

Prevented 3.41 kg of CO₂ emissions per kg of redistributed food, equivalent to one car driving 359 times around the Earth.
Saved 2.95 m³ of water per kg of food, enough to fill 1,237 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Conserved 26.24 MJ of fossil energy resources per kg of food.

At the same time, the redistributed food supported thousands of soup kitchens and institutions, providing daily assistance to families and individuals in need.

Initiative Location

Attica – with potential for expansion nationwide.

Working with Organization

Collaboration with Harokopio University was crucial, as it enabled the scientific documentation of the initiative’s environmental dimension. Under the guidance of Professor Konstantinos Ampeliotis, the study calculated avoided CO₂ emissions, water savings, and other critical environmental parameters.

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Workers Participation

The initiative relies on a combination of permanent staff and volunteers actively engaged in:

Food collection and management,
Organizing storage and distribution,
Raising awareness among businesses about the importance of donating surplus products.

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Benefits for Οrganization

Established the Food Bank as a reference point for sustainable food management in Greece.
Strengthened collaborations with businesses that see the initiative as a reliable solution for surplus management.
Enhanced credibility and fundraising opportunities through scientifically validated environmental reporting.