Where can I get food aid?
Food aid provides concrete relief when there isn’t enough money for food and brings security to everyday life. At the same time, it helps reduce food waste by ensuring surplus food is not thrown away. Food aid is part of responsible and communal well-being work.
Ruoka-apu.fi – National Food Aid Event Calendar
Ruoka-apu.fi is a nationwide service maintained by Kirkkopalvelut ry, which compiles announced food aid events and communal meals from across Finland. It serves both those seeking food aid and those organizing it, as well as food donors.
Event information is provided by registered operators such as associations, parishes, and municipalities. Each event listing includes detailed information and direct contact persons.
Food Aid Operators in Southwest Finland
- Kristillinen seurakunta Uusipesula
- Operaatio Ruokakassi ry
- The Finnish Red Cross, Southwest Finland District
- Turun A-Kilta ry
- Turun Elokolo / EHYT ry
- Turun Katulähetys ry
- Turun Seudun TST ry
- Turun seurakunnat, kirkon varikko
- Varissuon Työ ja Toiminta VT ry
- Yks puutarha ry
- Åbolands distrikt, Finlands Röda Kors
School Surplus Food Distribution
The Finnish Red Cross (SPR) volunteers distribute surplus lunch food on weekdays at six different school units in Turku. The distribution is open to everyone, and food is given into the recipients’ own containers.
Surplus food is also distributed in several nearby municipalities, such as Kaarina, Lieto, Raisio, Naantali, Masku, Sauvo, and Nousiainen.
More detailed and daily information can be found at ruoka-apu.fi.
Surplus Food Distribution Schools in Turku
Where: Kuikkulankatu 4, 20540 Turku
When: weekdays 13.15–13.30
Where: Ruiskatu 8, 20740 Turku
When: weekdays 13.45–14.00
Where: Pakkarinkatu 10, 20100 Turku
When: weekdays 12.55–13.10
Where: Eskelinkatu 4, 20100 Turku
When: weekdays 13.35–13.50
Where: Päivännousevanpolku 17, 20610 Turku
When: weekdays 13.15–13.30
Where: Wäinö Aaltosen koulutie 3, 20900 Turku
When: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 12.30–12.45
Co-development of Food Aid Activities – For Donors and Partners
Are you a retailer, restaurateur, event organizer, entrepreneur, company representative, or private individual who generates food waste? Would you like to reduce waste, direct surplus food to food aid, or participate in developing the activity? Do you have an idea that could advance food aid operations?
Leave your contact details or development suggestion – we will get in touch with you!
Development of Food Aid Activities
The need for food aid has become a permanent part of society. Factors include increased inequality and child poverty. More and more people face everyday challenges that are not just temporary.
Our goal is to make food aid more humane and better support people’s daily lives.
The City’s Role
The City of Turku invests significantly in food aid activities. We coordinate food aid in Southwest Finland and develop operations together with a broad network of partners—including Varha and nearby municipalities.
In 2024, we took responsibility for bringing together food aid operators and unifying a fragmented field. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has granted Turku funding for 2025 and 2026. The city is responsible for distributing the grant to various food aid operators in Southwest Finland. The grant also strengthens the activities of organizations distributing food aid and develops cooperation and logistics.
We have also approached sub-regions in Southwest Finland to activate the role of municipalities in developing and cooperating on food aid. The goal is for municipalities to also participate in funding food operations.
Logistics Center
At the end of 2025, we will transition to a new operational logistics center. The center will enable an increase in the amount of food distributed, more cost-effective operations, and the inclusion of new partners.
The new logistics center and its development will strengthen the foundation of food aid activities and support its development as an even more impactful part of everyday life in Turku.
Turku as a Finalist in an International Innovation Competition 2025
Turku was selected among the top 50 cities in the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge for its innovative food aid idea. The competition seeks the boldest and most impactful solutions for developing basic services in cities worldwide.
Experience from the Food Queue – The Human Voice Behind Development
During summer 2025, we held several discussions with people in Southwest Finland who use food aid. We interviewed people who experience the significance of food aid in their own lives. These conversations have provided valuable information about how food aid is perceived, what hopes are associated with it, and how the service can be made more humane.
I am Jukka, a 44-year-old appliance installer and single parent to two teenagers aged 15 and 13. A work accident and a prolonged sick leave have put me on basic unemployment allowance, and my financial situation has clearly worsened over the past year. I like to cook myself—my children appreciate home-cooked food, and often my 84-year-old father joins us at the table. Food aid is a real necessity for us: I want to provide nutritious food for my family, but sometimes there just isn’t enough money. I am handy with my phone and computer and use digital services fluently. For us, food aid is not just food—it helps keep everyday life together and brings shared moments for the family.