The daily work of Banco Alimentare (Italian Food Bank)

Since 1989 the Fondazione Banco Alimentare Onlus has been collecting the production surplus of the agro-alimentary chain, and by means of its network of 21 organizations spread all over the country, has been redistributing it to over 8000 charity organizations engaged in offering alimentary help to the poor and the outcast all over Italy. The Banco Alimentare network collects foodstuff s which are still very good but, having lost their commercial value, would be destined to destruction. Having been saved from waste, these foodstuffs recover their value and become a richness for those who have too little. The main supplying sources of the Banco Alimentare network are: food industry, organized large-scale retail trade, and collective catering service. Besides, one must add substantial amounts of alimentary products placed at disposal by European Union within a specifi c programme of helping the poor. The Banco Alimentare activity is made possible thanks to the generous daily backing of over 1000 volunteers.

FBF is at work 365 days a year. 
80.000 tons of food have been collected in the last year (the equivalent of 6200 trucks).

One day for giving: The National Food Collection Day in Italy

Besides the laborious daily activity of recovering food surplus to be assigned to the poorest in our country, every year Banco Alimentare organizes the National Food Collection Day, the last Saturday of November. It is an appointment which since 1997 has become an important moment, involving civil society and awakening it to the problem of poverty by means of a concrete gratuitous gesture of sharing, buying food for those who need it. During this day, in a large network of supermarkets involved in the whole country, everyone can give a part of his shopping in order to answer the need of those who live in poverty. 110,000 volunteers who give part of their time allow the realization of this day. 5,000,000 Italians buy food for those who cannot do it. It is a great show of charity: the experience of giving goes beyond all expectations, giving birth to superabundant human solidarity.

Over 8.000 point of sale are involved
110 thousand volunteers are involved every year
In 2010 9.400 tons of food have been given (the equivalent of 32 milion euro) 

Banco Alimentare Foundation is a member of the Fédération EuroPéenne des Banques Alimentaires (FEBA) in which 22 nations are involved. It is also corresponding with Feeding America and with some of the Food Banks present in Latin America.  

Fondazione Banco Alimentare - Onlus Via Legnone 4, 20158 Milano - Ph 02 896.584.50 - F 02 896.584.74 info@bancoalimentare.it