Overview
- Tafel Deutschland reports 265,000 tonnes of food rescued nationwide in 2025, yet many branches describe growing queues and shrinking supermarket contributions.
- In Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, supermarket donations fell by up to about 30% this year, and Tafel Kiel imposed a stop on new registrations due to limited supply.
- Hamburger Tafel expanded donor outreach to manufacturers and large logistics firms and says it now reaches roughly 40,000 people across the city.
- In Lower Saxony and Bremen, new distribution centres in Springe and Börger saved about 1.8 million kilos in the first nine months, with a third site planned in Bremen for early 2026 and state support near €2 million.
- Volunteer shortages, especially drivers, are straining operations, while year-end efforts such as Bassum’s donor-funded Christmas packages and Penzberg’s 6,000 volunteer hours help sustain local distributions.