Tables serve up to 200,000 affected by poverty

Tables serve up to 200,000 affected by poverty - Tables serve up to 200,000 affected by poverty

Up to 200,000 people in Lower Saxony and Bremen now depend on food banks to make ends meet. To tackle rising demand and reduce food waste, two new distribution centres opened in 2024 in Springe and Börger. These hubs are already making a difference by rescuing surplus food and supplying local food banks.

The state of Lower Saxony is backing the project with nearly €2 million in funding from 2023 to 2026. This money supports the logistics centres in Springe and Börger, ensuring they can collect, sort, and distribute large quantities of surplus food. In the first nine months of 2025 alone, the two sites saved nearly 1.8 million kilograms of food from going to waste.

The centres also aim to take in agricultural surpluses, such as excess potato harvests, through partnerships with producer cooperatives. This approach helps farmers avoid losses while providing food banks with much-needed supplies. A third distribution centre is set to open in Bremen in early 2026, serving 25 food banks across the northwest region. Beyond logistics, the association is pushing manufacturers to donate surplus seasonal goods instead of selling them off cheaply. By redirecting unsold products, the centres help balance shortages among food banks while cutting down on unnecessary waste.

The new distribution centres are already easing pressure on food banks in Lower Saxony and Bremen. With a third site opening in 2026 and ongoing efforts to secure more donations, the network is expanding its reach. The goal remains clear: rescue more food and support those facing financial hardship.