Socio‐ecological consequences of charitable food assistance in the affluent society: the German Tafel

Abstract

Purpose

Charitable food assistance in affluent societies shows a polarisation between growing abundance, on the one hand, and social exclusion, on the other. It establishes a connection between both sides. In Germany, such charity is especially represented by the so‐called Tafel non‐profit organisation. The purpose of this article will be to explore the structural problems of the non‐profit organisations' charitable practices.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study encompassed Tafel initiatives, the donating businesses and the people on the receiving end.

Findings

It will be shown that collecting and distributing excess food is at least an ambivalent, to some degree even conflictive means and that it is hardly the solution to the social and ecological problems addressed. Charitable food assistance contributes more to cementing exclusion and excess rather than to overcoming them.

Originality/value

The article will draw conclusions on unrealistic views of exclusion and problematic operations of the movement itself.

Citation

Lorenz, S. (2012), "Socio‐ecological consequences of charitable food assistance in the affluent society: the German Tafel", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 32 No. 7/8, pp. 386-400. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443331211249011