In response to the growing precariousness in France, the Onet Foundation is taking concrete steps to support the most vulnerable people by addressing food security.
About 10 million French people live below the poverty line, which greatly increases the risk of food insecurity. According to a recent survey bythe French Institute for Public Opinion and Marketing (Ifop) of people earning the minimum wage or less, 79% report cutting back on food purchases, and 91% have already stopped buying certain products, reduced portion sizes, or skipped meals due to rising prices. Among young people, the situation is particularly alarming: in 2025, 34% of students report regularly skipping meals due to lack of money, a rate significantly higher than the national average.
Food insecurity refers to the inability of a segment of the population to obtain sufficient, healthy, and balanced food. It particularly affects low-income individuals, students, single-parent families, and people living alone.
This is a global issue that goes beyond hunger: it includes the ability to choose one’s food and to consume sufficient quantities of fruits, vegetables, and high-quality products to ensure a balanced diet.
Poverty doesn’t stop at the dinner table. It also affects access to basic hygiene products: soap, toothpaste, menstrual products, baby diapers… Basic necessities that remain out of reach for millions of people in France.
That is why the Onet Foundation also works to improve the hygiene and dignity of people in need by organizing annual charity drives across the country.
Food insecurity has a significant impact on public health. It contributes to nutritional deficiencies and chronic diseases, as well as psychological disorders such as stress and anxiety. In children, it can hinder cognitive and physical development and exacerbate inequalities from an early age.
Every year, millions of people receive food assistance through nonprofit networks. These initiatives aim to ensure sustainable access to a balanced diet, including fruits, vegetables, and other essential items.
Having worked alongside food banks for several years, particularly during their major annual food drive, the Onet Foundation has taken a new step by formalizing an official partnership with the French Federation of Food Banks. This joint commitment aims to provide more effective support to organizations on the ground and to strengthen food aid throughout France.
In France, food insecurity affects millions of people: low-income families, students, and those who are isolated or unemployed. Nearly 8% of the population relies on food assistance each year, a reality that calls for a collective, structured, and sustainable response.
In response to this growing food insecurity, the Onet Foundation is committed with recognized organizations to make a tangible contribution to the fight against food insecurity.
Every November, a major national campaign mobilizes more than 100,000 volunteers at over 9,000 collection points across France, including stores, schools, town halls, and businesses. This event helps replenish stocks of essential food items—such as canned goods, starchy foods, and processed fruits and vegetables—to meet the nutritional needs of those in need. In 2025, nearly 9,700 tons of food were collected—the equivalent of 19.4 million meals—covering 10% of the network’s annual needs.
In the same vein, the Onet Foundation is launching its own nationwide initiative in conjunction with the Food Banks, with the aim of maximizing the impact for families and communities in need across the country.
In 2024, the Onet Group launched a skills-based volunteer program, allowing all employees to participate in community service projects during work hours for up to two days per year. This initiative demonstrates the Group’s public and concrete commitment to improving the quality of life for vulnerable populations.
As part of this initiative, employees can volunteer directly at a partner store alongside teams of volunteers, or organize a food drive at their workplace. This program benefits both the families receiving assistance and the employees themselves, who gain a deeply rewarding experience.
All collected items are sent to the Food Banks in each region, which redistribute them to more than 6,000 partner organizations: Restos du Cœur, the Red Cross, Secours Populaire, Secours Catholique, and the Municipal Social Action Centers (CCAS). These organizations provide direct food assistance to beneficiaries—including families, children, students, and seniors—in the form of packages containing fresh and dry goods, fruits and vegetables, meals, or through social grocery stores.
This assistance, supported in part by European programs, helps improve the nutritional quality of meals for people in need and plays a vital role in their daily health. Because behind every statistic, there are people, real-life situations, and lives that deserve dignity and solidarity.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
The Onet Foundation is here to assist you with your needs and support you every step of the way.
