Continued Support for Food Rescue and Vulnerable Groups

Kavli Trust has awarded NOK 2 million to the Norwegian food banks' umbrella organisation, Matsentralen Norge, to strengthen its efforts to rescue food from being wasted and help vulnerable groups in society.

“Food banks are a flagship project in our work to contribute to effective climate solutions, with a focus on responsible consumption and production,” says Guro Hjetland Sundsby, Grant Manager at Kavli Trust.

The funding continues a partnership that began when Kavli Trust first supported the establishment of the umbrella organisation in 2017.

Sundsby points out that the food banks also support Kavli Trust's goal of promoting good mental health and improving living conditions for children and young people. When food is redistributed, it goes to charitable organisations that help families living with low incomes and other challenges.

“The food banks also run highly successful inclusion programmes, through work training opportunities in collaboration with NAV (Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration),” she adds.

New CEO in place

“It’s great to be here,” says Per Christian Rålm, who started as the full-time CEO of Matsentralen Norge on 1 May this year.

The grant from Kavli Trust will support the operations and development of the umbrella organisation, including the hiring of Rålm.

Rålm brings extensive experience with food systems in Norway, including in politics, agriculture, and the grocery sector. He sees significant opportunities for both growth and strengthening of the food banks’ operations.

“Along with building a truly impressive logistics and distribution system to handle surplus food, Matsentralen Norge consists of an inspiring group of people from all backgrounds, with a fundamentally idealistic commitment,” he highlights.

Record Food Rescue

The food banks are continually setting new records in redistributing surplus food from the food industry to charitable organisations that help those in need.

In 2021 alone, the eight food banks under Matsentralen Norge rescued over 4,000 tonnes of food from being wasted, ensuring it benefited some of those who need it most.

– That equates to eight million meals, says Project Manager at Matsentralen Norge, Paula Capodistrias.

Significant Consequences

Rescuing food from waste has significant, tangible benefits for both the climate and the environment.

Food production contributes considerably to large carbon footprints. According to data gathered by Matsentralen Norge from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), food production accounts for 37% of the world’s land use, 70% of freshwater consumption, and 24% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, food that is discarded needs to be managed in ways that further strain the environment and contribute to climate change. In Norway, over 450,000 tonnes of edible food are wasted every year. This is equivalent to approximately 84.7 kg per person.

Did Not Meet the Target

That’s why it’s positive news that food waste in Norway was reduced by 10% between 2015 and 2020, according to a report from the Norwegian Environment Agency (Miljødirektoratet).

– Any reduction is positive and important, emphasises Capodistrias.

– However, these figures also indicate that the shared target between the government and the food industry to reduce food waste by 15% from 2015 to 2020 was not achieved. Therefore, we must continue working together to rescue even more food from being wasted.

– From an ethical standpoint, this is also unacceptable when so many cannot afford proper, nutritious food, says Chairman of Matsentralen Norge, Cristiano Aubert.

– This is also true in Norway. At the food banks, we are experiencing that the need for food assistance is greater than ever since we started in 2013, adds Aubert, who is also the Managing Director of Matsentralen Oslo.

Signature Project

Together with Tomek Tyrawa and Jo Inge Auren, regional sales managers for Kavli and Q-Meieriene in Norway, Kavli Trust’s Guro Hjetland Sundsby visited the food bank in Oslo in May. The visit included a tour, a status meeting, and the delayed presentation of a donation cheque for two million NOK.

– It’s truly inspiring to see, in a very concrete way, how the values we create within the Kavli Group are put to good use, both for individuals and society, says Tomek Tyrawa, who is supported by his colleague:

– It’s fantastic to see how well they work here at the food bank, ensuring that the food reaches those in need through the organisations that collect it, says Jo Inge Auren.

He notes that food rescue is also an important cause for Q-Meieriene.

– It’s wonderful that we can also contribute to food rescue through the support provided by Kavli Trust to the food banks, says Auren.

Matsentralen Norge is the umbrella organisation for a network of eight food banks across Norway. In addition to redistributing food, the food banks offer job training for job seekers in collaboration with NAV (the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration) and also serve as a resource for other food rescue organisations.

Kavli Trust has supported the food banks since the very first one was established in Oslo in 2013. To date, the foundation has contributed 19.2 million NOK towards the start-up, establishment, and development of the eight food banks.

Background

• A total of eight food banks in Norway are members of the umbrella organisation Matsentralen Norge.
• In 2021, these eight food banks rescued over 4,200 tonnes of food from being wasted and redistributed it to 480 charitable organisations that help those in need.
• Close to 230 suppliers contribute surplus food to the food banks.
  In addition to food rescue, the food banks provide job training to job seekers through NAV and support other organisations that redistribute surplus food. This way, they give food, people, and the environment a second chance.
• So far, eight Norwegian food banks have been established: Innlandet, Oslo, Rogaland (Sandnes), Sør (Kristiansand), Trøndelag (Trondheim), Vestfold and Telemark (Larvik), Vestland (Bergen), and Tromsø.
• With support from Kavli Trust, Matsentralen Norge has now appointed a full-time Managing Director.
• Since its inception in 2013, Kavli Trust has contributed a total of 19.2 million NOK to the food banks.