SOCIETY

CIVIL SOCIETY: 269 PRACTICES


TOPIC:

Initiative

Collect - Collection of foodstuffs from customers in supermarkets

Collect - Collection of foodstuffs  from customers in supermarkets
SUBMITTED FROM:

FOOD BANK

The Food Bank collects food that it provides for free to canteens and institutions throughout Attica. The basic goal is management of foods with no commercial value, yet suitable for consumption, that without the Food Bank would be just a waste!

 

Read more: www.traptrof.gr


Contact

Objective Action

Throughout the year the Food Banks address consumers, students, associations of employees and groups of citizens and collect types of foodstuffs that are not available in surplus production. The most important date is the first Friday in December each year, when all Food Banks all over Europe hold extensive collects aided by hundreds or even thousands of volunteers.

  • Collection of specific types of foodstuffs that are not, or only in small amounts, donated by food companies.
  • Raising awareness by the public and informing them about the actions of the Food Bank.
 

Target Audience

Through 144 soup kitchens participating in the network of the Food Bank these foodstuffs provide for more than 33,000  of our fellow citizens. Among the beneficiaries are 5,388 elderly and 6,904 children, while 6% are disabled.

 

Duration

The 'collect' foods collection program started in 1998 and is being implemented by all Food Banks in Europe, according to local needs and capabilities.

In 2016, in Athens, 'collect' actions have increased, including more food collection points but also more actions throughout the year. A crucial factor for the expansion of the program is the participation of organized groups of volunteers, while the upgrading of the existing software allows for a more detailed depiction of the figures.


Description

Food Bank volunteers in the supermarkets are informing the customers about the action of the Foundation and calling on them to offer specific items and fill the special  bag of the Food Bank. Supermarket chains participate in the action with posters and by providing volunteer groups with space and equipment, while calling on the consumers over the loudspeakers with appropriate announcements, encouraging them to participate in the action. Outstanding features of the action are the massive mobilization of volunteers as well as their personal contact with the consumers who are willing to donate.

Volunteers transport all collected bags in appropriate pallets by mini-vans to the Food Bank's facilities. There, volunteers unseal the bags and sort the products by type. All units are counted, collected and packed in appropriate cartons so as to be stored safely and provided in a decent way. The final record of the products is entered into the Food Bank's specific software, which maintains a detailed inventory of inputs, as well as all information about the soup kitchens and establishments to which the foodstuffs are handed out. For improvement of recording the products from collects in particular, the Food Bank has upgraded its software from 1-1-2017. All products are dispatched with the required delivery notes.

On December 1st 2017 alone 300 volunteers were mobilized (including 50 children from 2 schools) and 28 cars to transport the foods. The action took place at 14 supermarkets in Attica and a total of 7,528 bags of foods were collected.

At the same time, the Food Bank collects - throughout the year – foodstuffs from schools and company employees, speaking about the need to reduce food waste and the joy of volunteering.


more...

Impact on Society

In 2016, the Food Bank collected 38,725 kg of basic food products (pasta 29,6% - concentrated milk 9,5% - flour 8,7% - pulses 10,6% - rice 9,9% - tomato juice 13, 3% - sugar 9.5%). These foods are the basis of nutrition, and are estimated to have provided over 250,000 servings. They have a long shelf life and an even greater utility value for each soup kitchen and institution.

In 2016, food collect activities took place at 24 supermarkets, with the participation of 410 volunteers and the use of 45 vans. 13,426 bags were collected given by consumers, while many more consumers were informed about the Food Bank without wanting to participate in the action.

In outstanding cooperation with 2 schools in Attica the Food Bank provided information to 540 students and 160 volunteered actively. At the same time, additional food collections were made in cooperation with 5 more bodies.  



Initiative Location

Attica


Working with Organization

 Actively Involved in the action are:

(a) non-profit organizations to meet the needs of volunteer work;

(b) chain stores that actively  promote the action and support the Food Bank in designing of materials (posters, brochures);

(c) schools and companies that allow the Food Bank to collect foods from students / employees. 


More...…

Workers Participation

This action involves Volunteers of the Food Bank.


Photos Videos

Benefits for Οrganization

  • Inputs of a significant amount of specific, essential, foods
  • Informing the public and encouraging people to donate
  • Mobilizing volunteers
  • Possibility to develop fresh synergies and consolidate the existing ones
  • Openness and  strengthening the profile of the Food Bank



Connection with Global Goals







More Initiatives from Organization








Send us your feedback Print
The Sustainable Greece Ιnitiative launched by QualityNet Foundation