site.bta60,000 Receive Food Assistance in 2023

In 2023, a total of 60,957 people received food under 207 different programs and services provided by 138 partners - non-profit organizations, social service providers or structures at local level managed by municipalities. These data were presented by the Executive Director of the Bulgarian Food Bank Foundation Tsanka Milanova at BTA’s National Press Club on Tuesday.

Nearly 17,000 tonnes of food were distributed to people in January-December 2023, worth BGN 1.7 million, said Milanova, presenting the annual report of the Foundation for 2023. According to her, there is an increase in value, as well as in the amount of food served to people in need. Milanova made a comparison with 2022, pointing out that the growth of distributed food is about 25%, and in terms of weight the increase is over 11%.

Ilian Yordanov, Operations and Development Manager of the Bulgarian Food Bank Foundation, explained that since the establishment of the Foundation in 2012 they have been working for environments and practices that promote the saving of surplus and edible food from waste and its transformation into a resource for various social programs. With our work so far, we have saved foods for nearly EUR 11 million from waste and provided food in the social sector. He added that at the same time, 400,000 tonnes of food are thrown away annually in Bulgaria., worth BGN 2 billion. which would be enough to ensure proper food for every person in need or at risk of poverty in Bulgaria.