To support the socially vulnerable: Ukraine plans to create a network of food banks
12 March 11:17
Food banking networks may appear in Ukraine. Retail chains will receive benefits for transferring products that are nearing their expiration date. A fine will be imposed for disposing of food in cases where it could have been transferred to people in need. The relevant draft law will be submitted for discussion by stakeholders in early April.
This was announced by the chairman of the board of the Ukrainian Food Business Association (UFBA), Dmytro Shkrabatovsky, according to "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to Ukrinform.
The Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture and the UFB signed a memorandum of cooperation, under which they propose to introduce certain incentives for producers and retail chains that donate products with expiring shelf life to charity.
“This is a global practice that allows us to save products that are still safe to consume but can no longer be kept on store shelves. In addition, we propose to introduce fines for food disposal in cases where it was possible to donate it to people in need,” Shkrabatovsky explained.
According to Deputy Minister of Economy Taras Vysotsky, these initiatives are currently being considered. They will be reviewed by relevant departments and other executive authorities, and in early April, the draft law will be submitted for discussion by all stakeholders.
What is known about food banking
Every year, Ukraine produces about 3 million tons of food waste, even though a significant portion of this food is still fit for consumption. At the same time, millions of Ukrainians need humanitarian and food aid.
The draft law provides for the development of a food banking system in Ukraine, a mechanism that allows food suitable for consumption to be transferred from producers and retailers to charitable organizations instead of being disposed of. This model has been working successfully for many years in the EU and the US.
