Food bank

A food bank is a nonprofit organisation that does not operate for profit and provides food to those who are unable to purchase enough food to prevent themselves from going hungry. This is often done via intermediaries such as food pantries and soup kitchens. Some food banks have their own food pantries from which they give food directly to the public.

In 1967, the United States of America became home to the first food bank in the world, which was named St. Mary's Food Bank. Since then, many thousands have been established in different locations throughout the globe. After the worldwide rise in the price of food that began in late 2006, and particularly after the financial crisis of 2007–2008 began to worsen economic conditions for those on low incomes, their numbers increased rapidly in Europe. This growth occurred after the global increase in the price of food began.

Commentators have expressed their satisfaction with the expansion of food banks, seeing them as models of engaged and compassionate citizenry. Others in the academic community as well as pundits have voiced their fear that the proliferation of food banks may weaken political support for the provision of social services. According to the findings of certain researchers, food banks may not always be as effective as government-operated social programmes in some circumstances.