Mindelheimer Tafel celebrates 20 years: Help that connects!

Mindelheimer Tafel celebrates 20 years: Help that connects!

In Mindelheim, in the idyllic Unterallgäu, the Mindelheimer Tafel sets an example for solidarity and sustainability. This institution, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, has established itself as the oldest food bank in the region and offers important support to people in financial difficulties. Around 40 volunteers work here every week to offer people in need meaningful help to help themselves. Ursula Richinger, the energetic coordinator, ensures that the food distribution runs smoothly and takes care of the procurement, storage and distribution of the products, which can often no longer be sold due to the approaching best-before date or overproduction.

The philosophy of the Mindelheimer Tafel goes beyond just distributing food. It combines social responsibility with a clear idea of ​​environmental protection. Drugstore items and seasonal products, such as school cones before the start of the school year, are also offered. Hygiene and food safety always have top priority. Every Thursday, registered customers who have proven their income situation can “shop” for just 1.50 euros. Around 160 adults with children are registered in Mindelheim, around 100 of whom come to the food bank every week. This atmosphere not only creates a meeting place for those in need, but also a social meeting place for volunteers.

Commitment to combating food waste

The work of the food banks, including the Mindelheimer Tafel, is part of a larger network in Germany that campaigns against food waste and poverty. There are over 970 food banks in Germany that together support around 1.5 million people with rescued food. These initiatives are mainly thanks to the tireless volunteers - around 75,000 are involved in this area, with 94 percent of them helping voluntarily. The food banks collect surplus, edible food that would otherwise end up in the trash and give it to people in need for free or for a small fee. These values, such as sustainability, humanity and social justice, are at the center of the Tafel's work and are a clear appeal to society to take responsibility.

The campaign week “Too good for the bin!” also took place in this context. from September 29th to October 6th, 2025. This week was a platform for hands-on activities to appreciate food and showed how important it is not to waste food unnecessarily. Offers such as quizzes, cooking workshops and schnitzel parties invite you to actively promote more conscious consumer behavior. Help came not only from the retail sector, but also from schools, daycare centers and agricultural businesses. The topics of the campaign week included helpful tips for purchasing, storing and using leftover food, which are of great interest to many consumers.

The Mindelheimer Tafel remains a shining example of commitment and community spirit at a time when social and ecological issues are increasingly coming to the fore. By helping both those in need and the environment, the board shows what it means to stand together and take responsibility for the community. In the future, the Tafel will continue to provide its important service to alleviate poverty and at the same time contribute to reducing food waste. This initiative not only creates good coexistence, but also helps to protect our environment and use resources sustainably.