Food Banks Norway (Matsentralen Norge) is a network of eight Norwegian food banks that distributes surplus food to over 560 non-profit organisations throughout the country. The food banks enable non-profit organisations to offer food aid to people in need, while at the same time helping the food industry to reduce food waste.
As part of Case 1 of the Sustainable Eaters project, NORSUS in collaboration with Food Banks Norway created and distributed a 21-question survey to the food banks’ collaborating organisations. The survey captured the profile of people reaching out for food aid, the operational characteristics of the organisations, and the regional needs as reflected through the areas covered by each food bank. The results reflect the status in 2024.
The people. Among all people reached with food aid, 12% have permanent employment and 58% live with children. The four largest groups of food aid recipients are social security recipients, drug addicts, low-income workers, and refugees. Norwegians make up the majority of the first three groups, while Ukrainians dominate the fourth. Families with children are prevalent in all groups, except for drug addicts. The groups with the highest increase since 2023—low-income workers, social security recipients, and Ukrainian refugees—primarily consist of households with children.