Many food banks in Germany have waiting lists

Almost 40 per cent of food banks in Germany have temporary admission stops or have waiting lists. ‘This figure shows how serious the situation is,’ Andreas Steppuhn, Chairman of the umbrella organisation Tafel Deutschland, told the German Press Agency. ‘The food banks have reached the limits of their capacity.’ However, the need is greater.
According to the information, the 975 food banks across Germany support around 1.6 million people with food donations. Sharp rises in food prices and rents, a high inflation rate: ‘This naturally puts additional pressure on people who already don't have much,’ said Steppuhn. ‘We are in permanent crisis mode.’
The measures that the food banks are taking in response to the high demand vary, Steppuhn reported. ‘Some food banks are reducing the number of days or the amount of food distributed.’ His appeal: ‘The state and politicians have a responsibility to finally combat poverty effectively. Among other things, we need crisis-proof wages, poverty-proof pensions, affordable housing and a fully-funded basic child protection scheme.'

75,000 helpers are involved in food banks

According to the umbrella organisation, the first German food bank was founded in Berlin more than 30 years ago. According to a recent census, 75,000 helpers are involved in food banks across Germany. The Tafel is a volunteer organisation and not a state institution, emphasised Steppuhn. ‘Our aim is not to provide people with full meals, but to provide additional support with rescued food.’ Only what has been collected beforehand can be distributed.
According to the umbrella organisation, the food banks rescue 265,000 tonnes of food every year. The food banks are aware that food waste has become a major issue. ‘Supermarkets are operating more sustainably. This means that we receive fewer goods this way,’ said Steppuhn. To compensate for this, they are increasingly trying to obtain goods directly from manufacturers that are no longer being sold for various reasons.