According to some data from the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, about five million Kazakhstanis belong to socially vulnerable groups of the population, many facing the problem of hunger. At the same time, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, every year humanity gets rid of 1.3 billion tons of edible food, which is a third of all food produced in the world.

The idea of the Food Bank was initiated by an employee of METRO Cash & Carry LLP in Kazakhstan, Sabina Bakytzhan, and approved by the METRO AG head office in Dusseldorf as a part of the Sustainable Leadership Program in February 2019. The purpose of the Food Bank is to provide food to socially vulnerable groups, as well as to reduce food waste by the receipt of food and other consumer goods from manufacturers, distributors, retail chains, and other organizations. One of the important tasks is to promote a culture of conscious consumption and prudent use of food products.

The Red Crescent of Kazakhstan volunteered to become the operator of the project. Eleven METRO volunteers and ten Red Crescent employees were working on the project for one year. In October 2020, the first Food Bank of Kazakhstan was launched.

Since the beginning of the Food Bank’s activity, METRO Cash & Carry has financed more than four million tenges of food products, provided storage equipment, and become the first partner to ship the first batch of products (528 kg) for the food bank on October 4, 2020. Within just four months, METRO contributed more than 3.3 tons of food. Underdog sport agency also provides financial support to the project. Since December 2020, four more large international companies have joined the Food Bank as partners. Through joint efforts, 88 tons of food on more than 38 million tenge have been provided to more than 4,000 families in Almaty and the region.

The concept of the Food Bank of Kazakhstan involves the receipt of food and other consumer goods from manufacturers, distributors, retail chains, and other organizations for further transfer to those in need through the Red Crescent of Kazakhstan. In connection with the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the number of Kazakhstanis in need of food is increasing. In this regard, any help from businesses and caring people who can provide support is welcome. For more information please write to d.bakieva@redcrescent.kz and sabina.bakytzhan@metro.com.kz or visit the Instagram account @foodbank.almaty.