Romanians and food waste

In Romania, tonnes of food are thrown away every year.

Mihai Pelin, 11.09.2026, 13:50

Romania is facing a paradox that is difficult to ignore: millions of tonnes of food end up in the bin every year, while a significant proportion of the population struggles to put food on the table. More than 3.45 million tonnes of food are thrown away in Romania every year, while more than 27% of the country’s population is at risk of poverty or social exclusion, according to data published by the Federation of Food Banks in Romania (FBAR). This means that a lorry-load of food is thrown away every minute.

“September is recognised globally as a month dedicated to raising awareness of and combating food waste. However, for Romania, this autumn carries a double significance. It marks ten years since the food bank concept was first implemented in our country through the establishment of the Bucharest Food Bank. This historic milestone is the ideal moment to examine a painful reality, but also to present the only structural, logistical and legal solution that has operated continuously for a decade,” FBAR representatives say.

According to the federation, companies in the agri-food sector that have surplus stock, products with cosmetic packaging defects, or goods approaching their expiry date but still perfectly safe for consumption can transfer them free of charge to the Food Bank network. Companies can thereby benefit from full tax deductibility and VAT exemption. Once collected, the products are transported quickly in refrigerated vehicles, ensuring that the cold chain is maintained for perishable foods such as dairy products, meat, and fresh fruit and vegetables.

At the nine regional warehouses across Romania, Food Bank teams sort the products, check their traceability and record each item in accordance with the sanitary and veterinary regulations in force. The food is then distributed in an organised manner and free of charge to partner NGOs registered with the network. These organisations turn the donated food into hot meals or support packages for children attending day centres, elderly people living alone, and families going through critical periods.

According to official data, over the course of last year, the network rescued more than 10,000 tonnes of food from waste. This was turned into 20 million portions of food, distributed with the support of 183 donor companies to more than 850 partner NGOs, helping at least 326,000 vulnerable people. The volume recovered, however, represents only a small proportion of the more than 3.45 million tonnes of food wasted every year. The gap highlights the seriousness of the problem, but also the potential to expand food recovery and redistribution.

Reducing food waste will not, on its own, solve the problem of poverty. However, it can bring together two realities that coexist: vast quantities of food being wasted and the need for support among a significant proportion of the population.
Every tonne of food saved means less food lost and more products reaching people who need support. (EE)