(de-news.net) – Germany’s network of more than 970 food distribution centers is currently providing essential support to nearly 1.5 million individuals, a figure that underscores the scale of socioeconomic strain experienced across the country. According to Andreas Steppuhn, chair of Tafel Deutschland, children constitute an increasingly prominent share of those seeking assistance. He indicated that their proportion had risen to nearly 30 percent compared to the previous year, a trend the organization views with mounting concern, as it signals both the deepening of child poverty and the widening of structural vulnerabilities affecting families.
Reports suggest that household budgets are being compressed by sharply rising living expenses, driven primarily by escalating rent burdens and sustained increases in food prices. In response to the growing demand that has exceeded operational capacity, roughly one-third of Tafel branches have instituted waiting lists or temporary admissions freezes, reflecting pressure points within the country’s social-support infrastructure.
The organization estimated that in 2025, approximately 265,000 tons of food had been recovered, processed, and redistributed, thereby mitigating food waste while addressing immediate nutritional needs. For the current year, Tafel initiatives have reportedly prioritized securing goods directly from manufacturers, a strategy intended to stabilize supply chains, reduce logistical inefficiencies, and expand the volume of high-quality food available for redistribution.
Looking ahead to 2026, the organization expressed the hope that political leaders will realign their agendas toward the needs of low-income households and the broader imperative of strengthening social cohesion. Steppuhn emphasized that sustainable improvements would require legislative interventions aimed at advancing substantive social equity, including the introduction of poverty-proof wages and robust policy measures to counteract excessive rental costs. With respect to food-waste mitigation, he noted that the organization anticipates regulatory reforms mandating that food donations become more cost-effective for businesses than disposal, thereby creating systemic incentives that align corporate practices with societal welfare objectives.
