The Food Bank, a member of the Management Committee of the Brazilian Network of Food Banks, is an ongoing and coordinated initiative of the Osasco City Hall, linked to the Executive Secretariat for Food and Nutritional Security, Sustainability, and Social Innovation (SESAN). It collects, sorts, and distributes surplus food and items that fall outside commercial standards but are still suitable for human consumption. It also implements the Food Acquisition Program (PAA), distributing produce from family farming to families facing food insecurity.
The Food Bank was established as part of efforts to strengthen public policies to combat hunger and food waste, guided by the principles of the National Food and Nutritional Security System (SISAN) and the Organic Law on Food and Nutritional Security (LOSAN – Law No. 11.346/2006). Its mission is to fight hunger, food insecurity, and food waste while also contributing significantly to population adaptation to the impacts of climate change.
Currently, the facility serves around 20,000 socially vulnerable families each week, distributing food kits primarily composed of fresh produce, as a means of nutritional supplementation.
- João Paulo Pucciariello Perez
- Executive Secretariat for Food and Nutritional Security, Sustainability, and Social Innovation
- Brazil
- 2025
- The aim is to combat hunger and food waste and to reduce food insecurity rates in the municipality.
- Families in situations of social vulnerability and food insecurity (identified and registered based on socioeconomic criteria)
- The structure was originally established in 2006 and restructured in 2020.
- Since 2020, the facility has operated without interruption, serving 5,000 families weekly. In 2023, it became part of the Municipal Secretariat for Family, Citizenship, and Food Security and came under the management of the Executive Secretariat for Food and Nutritional Security, Sustainability, and Social Innovation. This allowed for a dedicated and more robust budget, as well as a technical team and oversight focused exclusively on daily operations.
- The Food Bank plays a fundamental role in reducing food waste. In 2024, it prevented the disposal of approximately 970,000 kilograms of food that was still fit for consumption. It ensures free and continuous access to nutritious food, directly improving the diet quality of the 5,000 families served weekly and helping prevent diseases related to poor nutrition. It also provides relief to household budgets, allowing funds previously used for food to be redirected toward other basic needs, such as housing, education, and transportation.
- Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Private Companies in the Food Supply Chain
- The Food Bank seeks to expand its network of beneficiaries by serving more families through strengthened partnerships with civil society organizations (CSOs) registered with the facility. There are plans to integrate the Food Bank with other public policies in the city, particularly in the areas of urban agriculture, food acquisition from family farming, and composting. In this regard, the aim is to close the food cycle by implementing a composting system for items unfit for consumption, generating organic compost to be used in urban gardens and educational activities, reinforcing the circular economy approach and full resource utilization.