Supermarkets want to be required to donate unsold food to food banks

A bill has been drafted in Ukraine to implement European practices for combating food waste. 

Dmytro Shkrabatovsky, chairman of the board of the Ukrainian Federation of Food Banks, announced this during a roundtable discussion titled “International and European Food Security Standards and the Development of the Food Banking System in Ukraine,” according to Ukrinform.

According to the document, stores larger than 400 m² will be required to cooperate with food banks by donating edible food, hygiene products, and household goods to them instead of disposing of them. According to the Ukrainian Federation of Food Banks (UFFB), over 2.7 million tons of food are destroyed in the country each year, while the new initiative aims to cut this amount in half. 

UFB Chairman Dmytro Shkrabatovsky emphasized that these changes are part of Ukraine’s commitments on the path to EU membership, specifically in accordance with the updated Waste Directive. Currently, the federation already unites five food banks and dozens of charitable organizations across 23 regions, providing assistance to over 2 million Ukrainians, primarily in frontline areas.

Surveys show that nearly 87% of citizens support the idea of donating unsold goods to people in need. The adoption of the bill will establish a clear legal framework for retailers, ensuring food security and reducing the environmental impact of organic waste disposal.

In March, global food prices rose significantly, reaching their highest level since September 2025. This increase was driven by higher energy costs caused by the war in Iran, which led to higher prices for fuel and freight transportation.