The demand for food aid in Finland is rising even as available supplies shrink. According to a new report by the NGO Foodaid.fi over 60 percent of nearly 300 responding food assistance providers reported a decrease in food availability while demand continued to grow.
Published: 3/09/25 | 23:09
The report highlighted that during 2024 more people sought food assistance particularly families with children, young adults and immigrants including Ukrainian refugees.
At the same time the study noted that the supply of food has diminished.
Out of more than 280 food aid organisations surveyed 73 percent reported an increase in individuals needing support to cover basic food expenses. Meanwhile 63 percent said that the availability of rescued and surplus food had declined.
Foodaid.fi pointed to factors such as cuts to government benefits, rising unemployment, furloughs and the increasing cost of living as reasons why people are turning to food aid.
Statistics Finland reported last spring that roughly 930,000 people in the country were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2023.
The surveyed food assistance providers included local organisations, parishes, municipalities, wellbeing counties and food rescue groups. Collectively, these groups organised over 22,000 food aid distribution events in 2024 contributing to a total of more than 43,000 events nationwide that year.
The report emphasised that food aid organisations require additional resources to expand their operations and coordinate volunteers effectively ensuring they can continue their “important work” of meeting community needs, providing food and fostering social connections.
