The food bank 69

Context

69 is the post code of the French department le (Nouveau) Rhône of which Lyon is the biggest metropolis. 

The Rhône Food Bank was founded on principles that still govern the daily life of the 79 Food Banks in France  the fight against food waste, sharing, donation, free, voluntary work and patronage. Food Banks has been the leading food aid network in France for over 30 years.

Project

Located in Décines, the Rhône Food Bank supplies 126 associations and Social centers throughout the department and the metropolis of Lyon.

The team of 10 employees and 105 volunteers are mobilized throughout the year, to provide partner associations with foodstuffs and a support service.

In 2018, the Rhône Food Bank distributed the equivalent of more than 11 million meals to people in precarious situations.

The Rhône Food Bank is:

• 2,500 m² warehouse
• 750 m² of refrigerated area
• 600 m² of service premises
• 10 employees
• 105 volunteers
• 126 partner associations
• 1 6 tonne truck
• 6 refrigerated trucks of 3.5 tonnes
• 5,860 tonnes of food collected in 2017, the equivalent of 11 million meals.

Project leaders

A network made up of 79 Food Banks and 29 branches, grouped within a Federation, which covers the French territory and the overseas territories. Our network is today organized in 10 regions.A Food Bank cannot distribute food directly but it can initiate a food distribution project by relying on partners. It can also help to create an association to which it will delegate operational management.

The Little Extra

Cooking workshops and processing workshops are organized within the Rhône food bank. The creation of ProxiDon, a free digital platform, completes the food aid system set up by the Food Bank of 69. It has been in the test phase in the Metropolis of Lyon since January 1, 2017 and allows food businesses to donate their surpluses and unsold goods to food aid associations located nearby.

Written by Alice Deshons, LFC volunteer - March 2019.

Last modification : 30 Mar 2020.