The European Union Supports the Promotion of Responsible Consumption and The Reduction of Food Waste
The Food Bank/Banca de Alimente organised the first edition of the “Gratitude Gala for the Prevention of Food Waste”. This initiative is supported by the European Union as part of the “Partnerships for Inclusive and Sustainable Social Canteen Services” project.
The event was attended by the Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, Jānis Mažeiks, alongside representatives from the agri-food business sector, social service managers, authorities, and other Food Bank partners.
Jānis Mažeiks, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, stated: “Reducing food waste and loss are among the EU’s key objectives in achieving a circular economy by 2050. I am pleased that together we have improved the Republic of Moldova’s legal framework for food waste prevention and strengthened the operational capacities of the Food Bank. I would also like to express my gratitude to all food donors – companies, farmers, partners, and volunteers – as well as to the citizens who support efforts to prevent food waste and promote solidarity. Through joint efforts and collective mobilisation, we can provide real opportunities for a better life to those in need.”
The Food Bank operates as an internationally recognised mechanism that recovers surplus food products, safe for consumption, which would otherwise be discarded by operators in the agri-food chain. These recovered products are subsequently distributed to social services that assist vulnerable groups.
Oleg Paraschiv, Director of the Food Bank/Banca de Alimente, said: “The Gala is an occasion to acknowledge the efforts of individuals and teams who have consistently supported the prevention of waste and the promotion of solidarity through their dedication to involvement and social responsibility. With the European Union’s support since 2022, we have enhanced the recovery capacity of all food categories, carried out advocacy initiatives to improve the national legal framework, and implemented innovative and efficient tools in the Food Bank’s operations. As a result, we have recovered 316,516 kg of food from 61 operators in the agri-food sector. These items were distributed to 78 social services across the country, assisting 9,635 beneficiaries.”
As a gesture of appreciation, the event honoured seven agri-food sector operators for their consistent involvement and significant contributions to the Food Bank’s efforts. They were presented with the Gratitude Gala Trophy for the Prevention of Food Waste.
This initiative is part of the “Partnerships for Inclusive and Sustainable Social Canteen Services” project, funded by the European Union and co-financed and implemented by I.P. “Keystone Moldova”, A.O. “Concord. Social Projects”, and I.R.M.S. “Diaconia”.
The project is being implemented between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2024, with a total value of approximately €1.3 million.
