– Now we can take in even more people and help even more people, says Per Christian Rålm, general manager of Matsentralen Norge. We are in the new premises of the central office in Oslo, which opened this week. Never before has the demand been so great. Last week alone, 45 tonnes of food were distributed from the center in the capital. This corresponds to around 90,000 meals. Do you have enough food? – Not in relation to all those who need food assistance. The food center has conducted a survey among its organizations and found that around 115,000 people in Norway need help. So far this year, they have distributed 2.1 million meals, which is equivalent to 1,000 tonnes of food. At the same time, the survey shows that the need for food has doubled, and it is among families with children that the need for help increases the most. – Although we save more food than we have ever done before, the need for food has increased even more, says Rålm. Per Christian Rålm, general manager of Matsentralen Norge Photo: Hallgeir Braastad / news – It means everything Paul William Marti is at the center every Tuesday at 9am. The major from the Salvation Army at Majorstua collects food for around 50 people. – As an organisation, we are very happy that we can buy free food and deliver it back. Paul William Marti from the Salvation Army Majorstua is grateful that they can bring food to their visitors. Photo: Hallgeir Braastad / news Soon after, Roy Daniel Tegnander, manager of the Evangelisenteret’s contact center in Moss, arrives. For him, this offer means everything. – Now we have collected food for around 60 drug addicts, which we will distribute in food bags and dinner to perhaps 30-40 people. He is concerned that the offer also helps to combat food waste. – We sometimes forget that we also contribute to less food being thrown away. We are happy about that, while also pleasing our guests. Roy Daniel Tegnander from the Evangelisenteret’s contact center loads into the car before the trip returns to Moss. Photo: Hallgeir Braastad / news The food the centers receive is distributed to organisations, which distribute it further. There are several centers around the country. – This is surplus food from the food industry that would otherwise have been thrown away, and we are happy that it will be put to good use. Don’t have enough food General manager Per Christian Rålm expects the supply to continue. – With the price increases that have been on food in the last year, this is not going to go away any time soon. Especially not now that interest rates are also rising. When asked what the solution might be, he says that all parties must step in. – As a society, we are faced with a major challenge in that some of us are struggling or have serious financial problems. He believes that politicians must ensure better support schemes through NAV and that employers must give better wages to their employees. – And then the volunteers and we must do our job so that those who are really struggling will be able to get a supplement in the form of food aid.
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Great need for food aid from the Matsentralen – the need has doubled – news Oslo og Viken – Local news, TV and radio
