Traditional and Emerging Non-Profit Food Rescue Organisations in Germany: Intra- and Inter-Organisational Networks Driving Social Inclusion of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged People

In Germany, 11 million tonnes of food waste are generated annually, with 41% originating from the production, processing, distribution, and out-of-home catering sectors (as of 2022). At the same time, demographical changes and inflation are increasing the number of individuals struggling to meet their nutritional needs due to financial constraints. This makes the question of a more socio-ecological approach to food distribution increasingly urgent. Non-profit organisations such as the more traditional food pantries and emerging food-sharing initiatives address this issue by collecting surplus food from companies in the value chain and redistributing it (largely for free) to people usually outside the typical consumer base. Specifically, these non-profit organisations present opportunities for promoting social sustainability as they facilitate social inclusion into various societal subsystems by creating communicative spaces and decision-making structures that offer access to resources and services for socio-economically disadvantaged groups, in line with Luhmann’s Systems Theory. These organisations play a decisive role in shaping mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion by establishing specific expectations for the behaviour of their target groups, thereby influencing their capacity for social participation. However, there remains a gap in the literature regarding how traditional and emerging food rescue organisations differ in their structures, target group focus, and ability to enhance social participation and food security of socio-economically disadvantaged populations.

This paper draws on 24 qualitative interviews with managers of traditional and emerging food rescue organisations, exploring the intra- and inter-organisational networks that support their food redistribution efforts. The analysis highlights how these networks are critical to the reproduction of practices that foster inclusivity and sustainability, shedding light on the organisation's potential to contribute to food security and social participation for those most in need.