Hunger and food insecurity are serious issues in Thailand, with many low-income households and vulnerable communities unable to afford to feed their families. A lack of reliable access to food has exacerbated food insecurity amongst the poor and the COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened it. Fortunately, community assistance such as food banks shows promise to combat hunger in Thailand.

The State of Food Insecurity

Every country aims to achieve food security and eradicate hunger. However, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has observed a growing severity of global food shortages since 2014, resulting from a loss of natural resources due to changing weather patterns and natural disasters. This has had a detrimental impact on agricultural production and food security.

A steep rise in food prices has also increased the number of people facing food insecurity. In fact, according to the World Bank, it takes only a 1% increase in food prices to push an additional 10 million people into extreme poverty.

Nutrition in Thailand

The problem of hunger in Thailand has significantly worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the National Statistical Office surveyed households in Thailand on the impacts of COVID-19. Results indicated the pandemic caused multiple food-related challenges within households, including inadequate consumption of nutritious food and limited food variety. Lower-income households suffered more serious consequences due to increased unemployment and consequent loss of income.

A World Bank study from 2020  revealed that 6.2 million people in Thailand–or 9% of the total population–lack adequate nutrition. This is a result of rising food costs, as well as a lack of nutritional knowledge. Poor understanding of nutrition is often more prevalent in lower-income households and contributes to unhealthy dietary habits and food preparations that do not adhere to nutritional principles.

The Rise of Food Banks to Tackle Hunger

Food banks are steadily growing in popularity across the globe. The Global Foodbanking Network (GFN) found that the number of people using food banks has doubled since the pandemic. In 2022, more than 32 million people used food banks across 50 developing countries. Many communities in Thailand have also turned to food banks as a solution to combat hunger, with the additional benefit of reducing the environmental consequences of food waste.

According to the Pollution Control Department, nearly 70% of Thailand’s total rubbish consists of food waste. The Scholars of Sustenance Foundation (SOS) originated in 2016 to eradicate hunger through the redistribution of surplus food to communities in need such as orphanages and shelters. It is one of the oldest food banking initiatives in Thailand, working in Bangkok, Phuket, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai and many other areas.

SOS also runs other programs to help combat hunger. The Rescue Kitchen Program works with community kitchens to turn surplus food into warm and nutritious food that is served to undernourished communities. The Remote Community Food Program employs military and volunteer networks to transport food across mountainous terrains, supplying food to isolated rural communities. The Healthy School Lunch Program promotes food security and nutrition for malnourished children at school, providing them with fresh vegetables for school lunches.

SOS has had a significant impact on reducing food insecurity and hunger in Thailand, having served nearly 30 million meals to more than 3,000 communities. The SOS foundation has also rescued around 6.8 million kilograms of surplus food. This is equivalent to about 17,282 tons of CO2 if the food were instead wasted in landfills.

Taking Action to Combat Hunger in Thailand

Food banks show promise in reducing hunger in Thailand by redirecting surplus food toward lower-income and vulnerable communities. Food banks have been so effective because of how embedded they are within local communities. To facilitate change, the government must transform the food system – starting at the community level. Prompt action must be taken to facilitate food access and security in Thailand for a lasting impact on hunger.

– Stephanie Chan
Photo: Flickr