Demand at food banks in Lower Saxony: 200,000 people in need!

Demand at food banks in Lower Saxony: 200,000 people in need!

In Lower Saxony and Bremen, the food banks show a strong commitment to the fight against increasing poverty. Around 200,000 people regularly receive food as well as seasonal and hygiene products from these social institutions. The rush is huge and loud NDR a further increase in demand is expected. Uwe Lamp, chairman of the regional association of food banks, says that demand is expected to continue to rise in the coming years.

Fortunately, precautions are already being taken: a new distribution center is scheduled to open in Bremen in 2026, which will supply 25 food banks in the northwest region with surplus food. Since the distribution centers in Springe (Hannover region) and Börger (Emsland district) opened in 2024, they have already saved around 1.8 million kilograms of food. These logistical innovations help to compensate for bottlenecks in the supply of food banks, particularly in rural areas.

Efficient support for those in need

The distribution centers are more than just warehouses; they are linchpins for saving food. In the first nine months of 2025, the new logistics centers saved almost 4,000 pallets, each containing around 450 kilograms of food, from destruction. The aim is to ensure a planned and organized acceptance of goods and to offer all food banks an equally good range of products n-tv reported.

The state of Lower Saxony is supporting the development and operation of these logistics centers with almost two million euros for the period from 2023 to 2026. In the warehouse in Bremen-Hemelingen, the reserves of the state association of food banks are used for financing. Ideas are also being considered that farmers could donate surplus crops to food banks, which could benefit even more people in need.

Initiatives by volunteers and schools

Reports of the challenges facing vulnerable families are alarming. Children of single parents and those with a migrant background are particularly badly affected. In Wallenhorst, the “Glücksbringer” network has 100 volunteers to support families in need. Elementary school students are also showing initiative: one girl asked to donate money instead of toys, inspired by a project at her school.

In addition, packaged food for animals is being sought to help pet owners in financial difficulties. Donations can be dropped off at two locations in the city. This shows once again that the food banks and the community do everything they can to stick together and offer help in difficult times.

The Tafel are an important aid network, and their work is supported by numerous volunteers and innovative approaches to food rescue. As the Blackboard Germany pictures of everyday life at the Tafel and portraits of the board can be used free of charge for editorial reporting in order to make more people aware of this valuable work.