– The need is increasing more than we can collect. That’s what the general manager of the Norwegian Food Center, Per Christian Rålm, says. – We have to look at how we can solve the growing need for food. We have now ended up in a situation where we now have to say no to everyone getting what they want and need, says Rålm. Last year, just over 4,000 tonnes of food were distributed through the Norwegian Food Centre. This year, the figure will exceed 5,000 tonnes. The increase, of around 30 per cent, has occurred gradually since May. Rålm believes the reason, among other things, is that companies have become better at handling food waste. In addition, people are less able to afford it, thanks to higher prices for fuel, electricity, food and mortgages. The food centers are experiencing increasingly large queues. But now it’s not just in the biggest cities that families need help, now families out in the rural areas also call for food. – We are happy for all the help we get. But right now the need is increasing almost more than we have the capacity to cope with, says Rålm. General manager of the Food Centers in Norway, Per Christian Rålm, says the food centers are experiencing increasingly large queues. Photo: Matsentralen Norge – Must go home empty-handed There are a total of eight food centers in Norway; in Innlandet, Oslo, Rogaland, Trøndelag, Vestfold and Telemark, Vestland and Tromsø. These receive food from grocery chains that have expired, and at the same time act as wholesalers for voluntary organisations. The organizations collect food from the centers and distribute this in the municipalities. Of the eight centres, only Tromsø, in addition to being a wholesaler, also distributes food directly to those who need it. – The situation is uncomfortably similar at all the food centers in the country: More food is now going out than we are getting in. With us, it’s so bad that we increasingly go without food, says general manager at the Food Center in Tromsø, Geir Arne Skogeng Nordstrand. – This means that many have to go home empty-handed, and come back the next day. – In recent months there has been a sharp increase in the number of people who come to us because they need help, says general manager at the Food Center in Tromsø, Geir Arne Skogeng Nordstrand. Photo: Linn Blomkvist Establishing itself in the districts The eight food centers in Norway, however, are not alone in helping. They are also completely dependent on voluntary organizations standing up and being able to deliver the food to the municipalities that do not have their own food stations. And precisely improving the distribution line was one of the teams during the crisis meeting this morning. – We have a network throughout the country, but in the long term we want an even finer network that also covers the districts better. One solution could be to establish so-called food stations that can receive, store and distribute the food, says Rålm. And this is exactly what the Food Center in Tromsø is doing. – We hope to establish between five and seven new food stations in Northern Norway. In this way, we will reach many more people than today, says Skogeng Nordstrand. – Reaching out to more One city that has already got its own food station is Alta. The food station was established in 2020 by the non-profit foundation Betania Alta. Here, 20 volunteers stand by to hand out free food to those who need it. This is in collaboration with local shops. Now the food station has also carried out trips out of town; to the towns of Kautokeino and Øksfjord. And this has not gone unnoticed. – After these trips, we have been called with questions about when we will return. We interpret this as a need in these places too – and probably many other smaller places, says project manager Anne Marie Gabourel at the Alta food station. – The demand here with us is sometimes so great that we are unable to help everyone who comes in, says project coordinator Anne Marie Gabourel at the Alta food station. Photo: Jonas Løken Estenstad / news – Vital help One of those who make use of the offer at the Alta food station is the mother of three “Anna”. She has two bachelor’s degrees, but has been out of work since she received disability benefits some time ago. For “Anna” and the family, the Alta food station has been vital. – The offer I get here means that I can prioritize doing other things with the children. Maybe I can afford to send one of the kids down the slalom hill one day. Or maybe we manage to save enough money so that we go to visit the family. – However, I am not alone in being in this situation. There are many more people than we might think who struggle to make ends meet. We just don’t see them, says “Anna”. “Anna” would have had great difficulty making ends meet without the help of the Alta food station. – It means an incredible amount to us as a family, she says. Photo: Jonas Løken Estenstad / news The general manager of the Food Centers in Norway, Per Christian Rålm, says they hope that more companies will become better at donating food to the centers. The food centers are working to get better systems for this. Today, the food centers are financed by the state, municipalities and private donations. – What we get from the state is too little to operate. That is why we are also dependent on municipalities and private individuals, says Rålm.
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The food centers are in crisis and many may go hungry this winter – news Troms and Finnmark
