Matsentralen Innlandet

Innlandet, a county in central Norway, will soon have its own food bank. Kavli Trust is supporting the project as Matsentralen Innlandet prepares to open. Its aim is to rescue 250 tonnes of surplus food each year and redistribute it to charitable organisations that support people in vulnerable situations.

About the project

“We are busy preparing for the launch,” says Klaaspeter Kuperus, Managing Director of Matsentralen Innlandet.

“Support from Kavli Trust allows us to establish the food bank and invest in major infrastructure, including a large refrigerated storage area and freezer storage.”

Kavli Trust is providing NOK 2 million in 2021–2022 to support the establishment and start-up of Matsentralen Innlandet.

From its newly renovated premises in Rudshøgda, a town in Ringsaker municipality, Matsentralen Innlandet will collect surplus food and supply charitable organisations across the county, supporting their food distribution programmes.

250 Tonnes of Food a Year

The location was chosen strategically. Rudshøgda is centrally located in Innlandet, providing short distances to the county’s most populated areas. Innlandet covers roughly 50,000 km², stretching from the Swedish border in the east to the Jotunheimen mountains in the west.

“Innlandet is an important agricultural region, making a significant contribution to Norway’s food industry. Several major national food producers here could supply Matsentralen Innlandet,” Kuperus explains.

“We expect to redistribute around 150 tonnes of food before the end of this year and 250 tonnes during 2022,” he adds.

The official opening is scheduled for early June.

Proud Regional Manager at Kavli

Rune Austdal, Regional Manager for Kavli in Innlandet, recently visited the new facilities in Rudshøgda.

“It looks fantastic. The storage areas are large and modern, providing the capacity to save a significant amount of food from being wasted,” Austdal says.

“As a food producer, it is important for Kavli to take social responsibility in areas related to food. Food waste is a serious issue, and we are pleased to contribute to reducing it through this food bank in Innlandet.”

Benefiting Food, People and the Environment

“At a food bank, several of Kavli Trust’s core goals come together,” says Inger Elise Iversen, Managing Director of Kavli Trust.

“Food banks make a difference both locally and globally. By rescuing food from being wasted, they help protect the environment and reduce climate impact. In addition, they provide essential support to charitable organisations and their food distribution services,” she adds.

Inclusion and Work Training

Iversen also highlights the role of food banks in promoting social inclusion through work training in collaboration with NAV, the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration.

“In this way, food banks help address multiple societal challenges, benefiting food, people and the environment. Kavli Trust is proud to have supported all food banks in Norway since the first one opened in Oslo in 2013,” she says.

Work and Language Training

Matsentralen Innlandet will create opportunities for both work and language training.

“In the long term, we also plan to run educational programmes about food production and food waste for at least 20 primary schools in Innlandet. Our goal is to become a key social actor in the region,” says Klaaspeter Kuperus.

Increasing Demand

“Demand for food has increased sharply across Norway since the pandemic began,” says project manager Paula Capodistrias.

Food banks are receiving feedback from charitable organisations struggling to meet local needs.

“Many people who were already facing financial difficulties are finding it even harder now. Matsentralen Innlandet will play a vital role for many families in the county,” Capodistrias adds.

Matsentralen Innlandet is structured as an association with three member organisations: The Salvation Army in Lillehammer, Evangeliesentret in Gran, and CRUX Hamartiltakene.