Food Bank’s D. Nendas Highlights One Million Greeks Facing Food Insecurity

According to recent Eurostat data, one million people in Greece are currently experiencing food insecurity. This alarming statistic was highlighted by the General Manager of the Food Bank, Dimitris Nendas, during the organization’s 30th-anniversary event. He emphasized the urgent need for support to continue their mission. ‘Today is a celebratory moment for us, but we need help to continue for the next 30 years,’ Nendas stated. Over the past few years, the Food Bank has significantly increased its food distribution. In 2015, they moved 850 tons of food in Attica alone, whereas last year, this number rose to 1,540 tons. With the collaboration of other regional food banks, an additional 630 tons were managed. However, the industry and retail sectors waste approximately 500,000 tons of food annually. ‘If we could utilize just 1% of that quantity, we would have five times more food supplies than last year,’ explained Nendas. The Food Bank operates independently and collaborates with major supermarket chains such as AB Vasilopoulos, Sklavenitis, MyMarket, Cretan, Lidl, and Masoutis. The number of supporting companies nearly doubled from 86 in 2015 to around 150 last year, with 126 active in Attica alone. Innovative programs like ‘Collect’ and ‘Fresh to the Rescue’ aim to enhance food supply. The ‘Collect’ program, boosted by funding from Metlen, gathered 50 tons of food in 2023 through volunteer efforts. Additionally, the ‘Fresh to the Rescue’ initiative collected fresh fruits and vegetables from the Rendi Central Market and collaborating businesses, distributing 100 tons last year. The development of the digital tool CTC (Click to Care), launched in October 2024, aims to create a comprehensive database of all supported institutions across Greece. This advanced logistics system aspires to map out food needs nationwide, providing valuable data and expertise. The Food Bank remains committed to supporting vulnerable social groups and combating food waste effectively.