From surplus to solutions: where food creates new futures

In Sandnes, surplus food is transformed into nutritious meals—and into new opportunities for people on the margins of the labour market. With support from the Kavli Trust, the initiative combines early intervention, prevention and strong local partnerships.

About the project

The production kitchen in Sandnes is run by Kirkens Bymisjon in partnership with Matsentralen (the Food Bank network). Surplus food that would otherwise go to waste is turned into high-quality meals for people facing financial hardship.

At the same time, the kitchen provides structured work training for people who are currently outside employment or education. In its first year alone, the initiative produced around 150,000 meals and helped participants move closer to jobs or education.

How Kavli Trust funding will be used

The grant from the Kavli Trust will support the continued operation and development of the production kitchen. Funding will be used to:

• maintain and scale meal production
• provide close follow-up for participants in work training
• strengthen collaboration with public services and employers
• ensure long-term sustainability of the initiative

The ambition is to create lasting impact through prevention—reducing exclusion while improving health and wellbeing.

About Kirkens Bymisjon, Matsentralen and the production kitchen

Kirkens Bymisjon is a nationwide non-profit organisation working to ensure dignity, inclusion and care for all. Food plays a central role—not just as a basic need, but as a way to build connection and trust .

Matsentralen redistributes surplus food from the food industry to organisations supporting people in need. The production kitchen extends this work by making use of food that requires processing before it can be distributed.

Together, they demonstrate how locally anchored collaboration can deliver scalable solutions to social and environmental challenges.