What if food waste could be transformed into hope? What if surplus became support, and excess turned into dignity on someone’s table?

In the heart of Transylvania, Banca pentru Alimente Cluj (Cluj Foodbank) is doing exactly that. As part of a growing national network of Food Banks across Romania, the organization collects surplus food and non-food products — generously donated by producers, importers, distributors, and retailers — and redirects them to NGOs working with people in need.

Banca pentru Alimente Cluj makes sure that valuable resources don’t go to waste, but rather reach the most vulnerable members of society. Alongside its sister organizations in Bucharest, Roman, Oradea, Brașov, Timișoara, Constanța, Craiova, and Galați, and under the umbrella of the Federation of Food Banks in Romania (FBAR), it forms a powerful chain of solidarity — one that connects abundance with need, and action with empathy.

To put a spotlight on their activities, we spoke to the team behind this quiet yet powerful mission to learn what drives them, the challenges they face, and how each rescued meal tells a story of care, collaboration, and community.

Let’s start with the heart of your work. What inspired the creation of Banca pentru Alimente Cluj, and what personally motivated you to get involved?

It started with the founding of the first food bank in Romania - Food Bank Bucharest. In Cluj, a team of anti-food waste enthusiasts met the founder of the Bucharest food bank - Gabriel Sescu - who introduced them to the food bank concept. That is how the second food bank in Romania was created - Banca Pentru Alimente Cluj - in 2018. 

The first pilot project collected in the first 7 months an average of one ton of food per month. We were convinced that such a project is absolutely necessary in the Cluj community. The donor partners greatly optimized their stocks and significantly reduced food waste based on the monitoring of donations to us.

How big is your organization today, and what would you say is the core focus of your work?

Today the team of the Regional Food Bank Cluj is composed of 10 people: some are employed, others have the role of consultant or permanent collaborator. Together we manage a large quantity of food, in record time and create connections that lead to reducing food waste and feeding thousands of people who are going through difficulties.

The Cluj Regional Food Bank currently has a warehouse manager, operational manager (executive vice president), regional development coordinator, data entry operator, two drivers, communication manager and event organizer. The operational team is joined by the Board of Directors, which has a role of consultancy and strategic direction.

The team is 100% essential. We are people with different skills, and by collaborating we manage to increase the impact of what we do at the Cluj Regional Food Bank.

No two days are the same. The team adapts to the current context and everyone does their job in terms of recurring activities and spontaneous donations.

We are a small team, especially compared to the potential we have and the workload required to achieve our goals. There are times when we are overwhelmed, but that is exactly when we remember that we can bring volunteers to complement us where we need them. 

Food waste is a global issue. How does your organization address this challenge at the local level, and what kind of impact have you seen so far in the communities you serve? Can you also share some stories behind the scenes?

Last year (2024), for example, in the 4 counties served by the Cluj Regional Food Bank (Alba, Bistrița-Năsăud, Cluj and Sibiu) approximately 1,500 tons of food products were donated. These were taken from stores, producers or distributors and then offered to NGOs that passed them onto people in need.

We have, at the local level, 36 companies that donate food, 9 of which joined in 2024. The food that is donated can come from the following categories: left after promotions ended, with  imperfections in appearance or size, close to expiration date (minimum 24h valid), with wrong packaging or labels, unused stocks, free samples or seasonal products. 

The donations that we receive we then collect, sort and distribute to 149 NGOs from the region that take care of people in need. These are: children, elderly, people with disabilities, homeless people, people at risk of social exclusion, refugees, people with substance addictions, people from communities marginalized by discrimination, etc.

But beyond the numbers, it’s the stories that stay with us.

We’ve seen kids in orphan centers get fresh fruit for the first time in weeks. We’ve helped mothers cook a warm meal without worrying about whether they’ll have food for the next day. We’ve offered healthy products to people that are going through terminal illnesses, knowing we can eliminate a bit of their financial difficulties. We’ve watched volunteers form beautiful friendships while sorting food in our warehouse. One of our most memorable moments was when the father of a volunteer became a full time employee at the Cluj Food Bank after meeting the team and learning what his daughter was doing in her free time.

You collaborate with NGOs that support vulnerable groups. Can you tell us more about how these partnerships work in practice?

The NGOs that collaborate with us have the advantage of being able to better focus on their social program, without worrying about food resources. They also enter a community of NGOs that help and support each other and contribute to reducing food waste. 

Each NGO can collect a quantity of food from the food bank's warehouse or from partner stores depending on the number and category of beneficiaries they have. In turn, the NGOs then distribute the products received in various ways: either they cook for people in need or they directly offer the products.

It is important for us to create a close community around them which is also why we organize an annual gala where they are being congratulated for their work they do and where we try to better learn their needs to see how we can improve together.

Volunteers often play a crucial role in this kind of mission. What is their role in your day-to-day operations, and what would you say to someone considering volunteering with you?

Whether they’re sorting food in the warehouse, helping during our national food collection campaigns, talking about our mission in schools, or supporting logistics, volunteers are essential to our daily work.

We rely on their time, energy, and kindness to keep the food moving — from those who donate it to those who need it most.

For those considering joining us, it is important to know that they don’t need to have special skills, just the willingness to help. Every product sorted, every conversation had in a store with a customer, it all adds up to real impact. You’ll be part of a community that works together to reduce food waste and fight hunger, and you’ll spend every minute knowing you made a difference.

Let’s talk about change. What kind of shift would you like to see in how society understands and responds to the issue of food waste and social solidarity?

We’d love to see a shift from awareness to action.

Many people have heard about food waste or know that some families struggle to put food on the table. But the real change happens when society starts connecting the dots between the two and asks: What can I do?

We hope for a future where food is valued more — for the resources, people, and effort behind it. And we dream of communities where sharing surplus food becomes second nature, and solidarity is a daily practice, not just a holiday sentiment.

Food waste is a logistical and a moral problem. Solving it means seeing surplus not as garbage, but as a resource. If more people and institutions shared that mindset, the change would be unstoppable.

How can the wider community support your work and get involved?

There are so many ways the wider community can support our work — and every bit of involvement helps us maximize our impact.

Firstly, for companies to partner with us — either by donating surplus food, offering logistics support, or backing our projects financially — helps us scale our impact and reach more people in need. It is important to know that by helping us, they also receive multiple fiscal benefits. 

Secondly, volunteering. Whether it's helping us sort food in the warehouse, joining donation campaigns in stores, or supporting educational workshops in schools — volunteers are the soul of our mission. 

Also, you can opt for redirecting (if you're employed in Romania). It doesn’t cost you anything, but it helps us cover essential needs like transport, equipment, or growing our impact.

Last but not least, spreading the word. Simply talking about food banks, sharing our campaigns on social media (@BancaPentruAlimenteCluj), or inviting a friend to volunteer or donate can spark change. 

Banca pentru Alimente is living proof that a team of committed people with the ambition and drive to help can do so much for so many.