Kavli Trust supports new food bank in Gothenburg to reduce food waste and social inequality

In Gothenburg, the two city missions Göteborgs Stadsmission and Räddningsmissionen are joining forces to open a new joint food bank for the collection, storage and redistribution of surplus food in the city and surrounding area.

The aim of the project is to reduce food waste while also increasing access to food for people living in economic and social vulnerability.

The support from Kavli Trust will go towards investment in new cold storage and freezer facilities, the adaptation of warehouse premises, and other start-up costs for the new food bank.

The grant of NOK 1 million to Göteborgs Stadsmission and Räddningsmissionen is the latest in a long series of food rescue initiatives supported by Kavli Trust. The foundation has contributed to the establishment and operation of all eight food banks in Norway, as well as similar initiatives in Sweden and the United Kingdom since 2013.

It is in these countries that Kavli produces spreadable cheese and other products, generating value that Kavli Trust distributes to charitable causes.

Read more: Saving food, people and the environment through food banks in three countries

Rescuing food and creating new opportunities for people

Promoting positive climate action and responsible consumption and production is a high priority for Kavli Trust.

– We have an ambition to help address the major societal challenges of our time, and we do so, among other things, by supporting projects that ensure food redistribution and the reuse of resources. In line with the foundation’s values, this collaboration will also help reduce social inequality, says CEO of Kavli Trust, Ingrid Paasche, referring to the fact that the new food bank in Gothenburg will also serve as a work training arena.

In addition to rescuing good, edible food from being wasted through social grocery stores, food parcel distribution and free meals, the project also creates opportunities for people who have fallen outside the labour market or have limited access to work experience. The initiative provides valuable work training in the food bank’s warehouse.

This is an approach that Sveriges Stadsmissioner, the umbrella organisation for the ten regional city missions in Sweden, has extensive experience with through other food banks and social food rescue stores in the country.

Partnership with growth potential

The partnership between Göteborgs Stadsmission and Räddningsmissionen on a joint food bank is also a pilot project testing a new model of cooperation between non-profit organisations.

The hope is that the model can eventually be scaled to other locations in Sweden.

– It will be exciting to follow the project going forward. The aim is for the collaboration to create even more positive ripple effects for food, people and the environment in Sweden, says Ingrid Paasche.

Facts about the project

• Göteborgs Stadsmission and Räddningsmissionen are jointly establishing a new food bank to collect, store and distribute surplus food in Gothenburg and the surrounding area.
• The project aims to reduce food waste and increase access to food for socially and economically vulnerable people through social grocery stores, food parcel distribution and free meals.
• The food bank will also offer work training for people with little or no work experience.
• The cooperation between the two non-profit actors is a pilot scheme that may serve as a model for similar projects elsewhere in Sweden.
• Kavli Trust is supporting the project with NOK 1 million for start-up and equipment, as part of its long-standing commitment to food banks in Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.