Hunger has always been one of the biggest problems in the world, including India. A person can never sleep peacefully if their stomach is empty. Hunger pangs not only disturb the body but also disrupt the mind, and when it continues for long, it causes malnutrition. On the other hand, we also see a lot of food going to waste. In restaurants, homes, weddings, and even supermarkets, so much food is thrown away even though it is still edible. The same food, if used properly, could feed millions who are starving.
The Universal Language of Hunger, let’s figure out what is it?
Regardless of who we are: a corporate executive, a busy professional, or a hardworking farmer; our ultimate goal is the same. That is to feed our families. A full stomach is the foundation of productivity, sparking our brains and energizing our bodies to work in harmony.
In this intricate dance of life, every aspect is interconnected. Our well-being, our work, and our very existence rely on this fundamental need of Honger.
Hunger, therefore, is not exclusive to any particular group or socio-economic class; it’s a universal human necessity, essential for all.
So, what is a food bank?
Just as we have banks to store money, providing a safety net for individuals and nations, food banks serve as repositories for surplus food. This stored food is then distributed to those in need, transcending borders and boundaries.
In essence, food banks embody the spirit of global solidarity, recognizing that access to nourishment is a fundamental human right.
History of Food Banks
This thought gave birth to the idea of the first food bank. In 1967, in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, a man named John Van Hengel started the world’s first food bank. He was a volunteer at a soup kitchen and noticed how supermarkets and restaurants were discarding food that was perfectly edible but close to expiry, mislabeled, or surplus. At the same time, he saw poor and homeless people struggling to get even one meal. He asked himself: why waste food when it can be used to feed the hungry? Inspired by this, he created a “food bank” just like we store money in a bank, he imagined a place where surplus food could be collected and stored to help those in need.
After the success of this first food bank in the U.S., the idea spread rapidly like a forest fire. In the 1970s and 1980s, food banks were established across many American cities. By the 1990s, the idea crossed borders and reached Europe, Canada, and Latin America. Hunger is a global issue, and this model gave people hope that food waste and hunger could be tackled together. In 2006, the Global Food Banking Network (GFN) was created to connect food banks worldwide, so that no region in need was left behind.
Today, food banks exist in more than 100 countries. They are not only about giving bread to someone hungry but also about ensuring proper nutrition. A human body needs proteins, vitamins, and balanced meals, not just calories. That is why food banks focus on nutritious food distribution. Another important role is food waste reduction. Rich and affluent sections of society waste enormous amounts of food. With stricter policies and organized food banks, this waste can be diverted to the needy instead of landfills.
French philosopher Michel Foucault’s concept of the “Panopticon” is a fascinating insight into human behaviour. Let’s Imagine a prison guard standing in a central tower, watching over the inmates below. As long as the guard is visible, the prisoners behave, following the rules and norms sincerely.
However, the moment the guard turns away or is out of sight, the prisoners revert to their natural behaviour, often misbehaving or breaking rules. This phenomenon illustrates how discipline and surveillance can shape our actions.
Applying this concept to food waste, it’s clear that stricter rules and consequences can encourage people to be more mindful of their behavior. If individuals know they’ll be held accountable for wasting food, they’re more likely to think twice before letting it go to waste.
By implementing and enforcing such rules, we can significantly reduce food waste. This, in turn, can have a profound impact on the environment.
Food banks have also played a vital role during emergencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when hunger and unemployment rose sharply, food banks acted as lifelines for millions. Today, they are recognized as essential partners in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2: ‘Zero Hunger’.
In India, food banks came much later, in 2015, when the India Food Banking Network (IFBN) was set up in Delhi with the support of GFN. India, being a country with a huge population and high poverty levels, needs such initiatives urgently. Food banks are now present in states like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Some notable initiatives include:
- Annapurna Movement (Karnataka): Provides breakfast to thousands of school children every day.
- Feeding India (by Zomato): A volunteer-based movement that collects surplus food from restaurants, weddings, and events and distributes it to the needy.
Despite these efforts, India still ranks low on the Global Hunger Index, which means food banks are not just important but essential for progress of a nation which has such a huge population.
Coming to the global impact in 2024, food banks have reached their largest scale since the peak of the pandemic. According to GFN’s latest data:
38 million people were served across 46 countries, providing the equivalent of 2.1 billion meals. Food distribution increased by 17%, with a special focus on child nutrition and school feeding programs. 41% of all food distributed was fresh fruits and vegetables, while 58% was nutritious food including proteins, dairy, and legumes.
Environmentally, food banks helped reduce food waste by diverting 512 million kilograms of food from landfills, preventing 1.9 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions.
The Regional expansions that have been remarkable are as follows:
In India, the No Food Waste initiative doubled its reach, distributing 7.5 million kg of food to 3.2 million people, and expanded to over 1,000 schools, according to reports.
In Argentina, food distribution rose by 37%, which is something really worth appreciating.
These results show why food banks matter so much today. A necessity for sure. Their impact lies in their scale, adaptability, and innovation. They are not only fighting hunger but also reducing food waste and contributing positively to the environment.
So, what began in 1967 with one man’s idea in the U.S. has today grown into a worldwide movement which feeds millions, reduces waste, and strictly ensures that no one goes to bed hungry. Though several nations need to work a lot more, but still we can assert, the world is a bit better now.
Article by Sruti Bhaumik