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The ESG Hub discussed the development of food banking in Ukraine

14/ 05/ 2026
  The issue of food loss and food security in Ukraine is becoming increasingly acute. How businesses can effectively manage surplus products, integrate food banking into their ESG strategies, and what barriers they face today were discussed at Impact Talks within the ESG Hub of the European Business Association. The expert discussion featured Yuliia Lemberg, Chief Executive Officer of FoodBank Ukraine, and Serhii Ivashchenko, Head of the EBA ESG Hub and Head of GR, CSR and Sustainable Development at METRO Ukraine. “Every tonne of food that becomes waste generates nearly three tonnes of CO₂ and results in the loss of vast volumes of fresh water. By donating surplus products to food banks, businesses directly reduce their environmental footprint,” noted Yuliia Lemberg. The economics of food banking: why it benefits business Food banking in Ukraine is evolving into a structured business practice. For companies, it is a way to optimise disposal costs and improve non-financial reporting indicators (CSRD). The effectiveness of the FoodBank Ukraine model is supported by data: for every 1 dollar of operating costs raised, the organisation distributes approximately 60 dollars’ worth of food. However, several legislative barriers hinder the scaling of the system. In particular, the tax burden (a 4% profit cap on charitable donations) often makes disposal cheaper than donation. Therefore, speakers emphasised the need to establish a dedicated legal status for food banks and to introduce European models of donor support. Experts also discussed mechanisms for transferring products with short shelf lives without reputational risks, the digitalisation of food banking to ensure transparency and traceability of every donation, as well as the prospects of creating “medicine banks” and “pet food banks”. “For METRO Ukraine, cooperation with the food bank is part of our sustainability strategy. It allows us to act responsibly, minimise waste, and support communities where it is needed most,” emphasised Serhii Ivashchenko. You can watch the recording of the session and learn more about specific cooperation mechanisms with FoodBank Ukraine via the link: https://youtu.be/6OLJ26nVbXg?si=mBibqGaJJgD3hC0U See you at the next ESG Hub events!

The issue of food loss and food security in Ukraine is becoming increasingly acute. How businesses can effectively manage surplus products, integrate food banking into their ESG strategies, and what barriers they face today were discussed at Impact Talks within the ESG Hub of the European Business Association.

The expert discussion featured Yuliia Lemberg, Chief Executive Officer of FoodBank Ukraine, and Serhii Ivashchenko, Head of the EBA ESG Hub and Head of GR, CSR and Sustainable Development at METRO Ukraine.

“Every tonne of food that becomes waste generates nearly three tonnes of CO₂ and results in the loss of vast volumes of fresh water. By donating surplus products to food banks, businesses directly reduce their environmental footprint,” noted Yuliia Lemberg.

The economics of food banking: why it benefits business

Food banking in Ukraine is evolving into a structured business practice. For companies, it is a way to optimise disposal costs and improve non-financial reporting indicators (CSRD). The effectiveness of the FoodBank Ukraine model is supported by data: for every 1 dollar of operating costs raised, the organisation distributes approximately 60 dollars’ worth of food.

However, several legislative barriers hinder the scaling of the system. In particular, the tax burden (a 4% profit cap on charitable donations) often makes disposal cheaper than donation. Therefore, speakers emphasised the need to establish a dedicated legal status for food banks and to introduce European models of donor support.

Experts also discussed mechanisms for transferring products with short shelf lives without reputational risks, the digitalisation of food banking to ensure transparency and traceability of every donation, as well as the prospects of creating “medicine banks” and “pet food banks”.

“For METRO Ukraine, cooperation with the food bank is part of our sustainability strategy. It allows us to act responsibly, minimise waste, and support communities where it is needed most,” emphasised Serhii Ivashchenko.

You can watch the recording of the session and learn more about specific cooperation mechanisms with FoodBank Ukraine via the link: https://youtu.be/6OLJ26nVbXg?si=mBibqGaJJgD3hC0U

See you at the next ESG Hub events!

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