Food rescue in the 18th district
About this good practice
The local governments have catered for poor families or lonely elderly people by providing food programmes. The food rescue as good practise has been implemented by 18th district municipality since 2021.The 18th district municipality tries to help these people by for example giving gift vouchers to each 65+ residents of Pestszentlőrinc-Pestszentimre. The policy decision makers and the heads of institutions are constantly thinking about expanding local social services in the 18th district, which is why the food rescue programme was initiated as well.
Our chosen solution harmonizes the typical types of food rescue worldwide, moreover, we pay attention to local particularities such as neighbourhoods, relationships among people in the district and institutional possibilities. The real innovation is how we transform the international solutions and practises on food rescue towards the needs of the 18th district of Budapest.
Resources needed
Firstly, the food prices are serious problem for vulnerable groups. Secondly, the amount of rotten food nowadays is incredible. Unfortunately, a lot of elderly and poor people and families face the heavy burden of gaining access to food.
Evidence of success
The most important outcomes are visible:
- food donation is stable or increases every year.
- The famine in the 18th district visibly decreased.
- There are less rotten food (bakery, fruit, vegetable, meal etc.) at the involved local units of supermarket chains.
- 2225 families and more than 10.000 people gave some food by the programme last year
- The low-income families and lonely people can pay the increased costs of the household for example heating or electricity more easily.
Potential for learning or transfer
The key lessons of this good practise are firstly the effect and fast coordination among different participants – CSIBÉSZ, supermarkets, target groups. Secondly, the prudent implementation during the whole food rescue. Last but not least, the accurate strategy planning of the capacity, service development and involving new stakeholders.
There is a lot of requests coming in every day and, unfortunately, these needs take up all capacities. However, a lot of well-off people with social sensitivity have already signed up to help the disadvantageous families or lonely people. The programme brings the whole community together.