Food aid tender shrinks as number of recipients falls

ERR reports that Estonia’s tender for donated food aid has fallen by nearly one million euros this year because the number of people needing assistance has decreased, according to the Ministry of Social Affairs.

The tender, organised by the ministry and the State Support Services Centre, is now worth three million euros, compared with almost four million euros previously, said Aire Johanson, a food aid adviser at the ministry.

The number of recipients has fallen from its peak in 2022, mainly because fewer people granted temporary protection now need assistance. Johanson said the number could nevertheless start rising again, so the new tender has been designed for greater demand. Money left over from the previous tender can be used for the new one.

People in financial difficulty are entitled to donated food aid if their need is confirmed by a social worker from their local government. The conditions for receiving subsistence benefits are the same across Estonia, but municipalities may offer different social benefits and services under their own rules.

Under the tender conditions, recipients must receive donated food aid at least twice a month. Those with particularly serious needs may receive it every week.

The official partner for distributing donated food under the current tender is the Estonian Food Bank. The ministry expects the new service provider to distribute food aid in every county centre at least twice a month, and weekly where necessary.

Food parcels must weigh between five and nine kilograms. Unlike earlier tenders, the current one allows their size to be adjusted according to the number of recipients. The ministry will tell the service provider each quarter how large a parcel it will pay for in the following quarter. Parcels are usually larger than the minimum requirement, depending on the amount of donated food available.

The availability of food differs across Estonia. More food is donated in Tallinn and Tartu, while some other regions receive less.

This year, the Ministry of Social Affairs also wants the service provider to develop local initiatives that help people in financial difficulty, especially older people, those living alone and the unemployed, participate in community life. The aim is to reduce social isolation, improve independent coping and encourage volunteering.

For example, members of the target groups could help assemble food parcels and distribute them. Training sessions could teach people how to prepare meals from food that has been saved from disposal. Social workers and debt advisers could also be invited to distribution points to provide additional support.

Johanson said the biggest current risk was whether there would be enough donated food for everyone in need. The Ministry of Climate is preparing amendments to the Waste Act aimed in part at reducing food waste. The ministry hopes shops will donate more food instead of throwing it away.

The tender is co-financed by the European Union.