France's SOLAAL launches 12th National Agricultural Donation Days

The French association SOLAAL (Solidarité des producteurs agricoles et des filières alimentaires) is organising its 12th edition of the National Agricultural Donation Days from 1 to 30 September 2026. The campaign, under the high patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, will mobilise farmers, cooperatives, agri‑food companies and wholesalers across the country to donate fresh produce to food‑aid charities.

The initiative aims to tackle rising food insecurity – an estimated 7 million people (16 % of the population) now rely on food assistance – and the massive waste of edible food, with France discarding about 9.7 million tonnes annually, of which 3.8 million tonnes are still perfectly consumable. SOLAAL, founded in 2013 by Jean‑Michel Lemétayer, emphasises quality, with 96 % of donated items being fresh and distributed via short‑supply chains. The 2025 edition supplied the equivalent of 1.3 million meals, and the 2026 effort is expected to expand that impact.