Tackling food waste and food insecurity in Serbia

Apr 21, 2025Farm to Fork, Food Security, Inspiring initiative

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Tackling food waste and food insecurity to help low-income Serbians

The Serbian initiative “Spasimo Hranu” (Save Food, Save Humanity) raises awareness about food waste and food donations; donates food surplus to vulnerable people; and aims to improve laws concerning food donation. This way, the initiative addresses the issues of food insecurity, food sharing, and food waste in Serbia, while considering practical, legal, and societal aspects. It also addresses the environmental impact of food destruction in terms of generated emissions.

Media campaign
A campaign launched by Save Food, Save Humanity aimed to increase public awareness of the problem of food waste and insufficient food donations in Serbia, and thus increases food donations. Food donations are increasing and food producers and merchants want to donate surplus food. Yet, the donated food makes up only a small portion of the total surplus food available. The initiative therefore aims to enhance a closer cooperation of all stakeholders for food surplus to be available to humanitarian organisations.

Improving the legal framework for food donation
In November 2020, the initiative helped to submit a proposal to abolish Value Added Tax on food donations close to the expiration date. This proposal was supported by the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia and the City of Belgrade. Save Food, Save Humanity then contributed to a proposal stating that all food donations should be exempt from VAT.

For Serbians with low-income
The at-risk-of-poverty rate in Serbia was 21.7% in 2020, and most people within this category are exposed to food insecurity. In face of this challenge, the main vulnerable group targeted by the initiative is the low-income population in Serbia.