Food aid

As of October 2023, food aid purchased from the state will be distributed in the form of food aid cards in cooperation with Rim. The food aid cards will be used to buy food and essentials from Rimi stores across Estonia.

• People who have received subsistence or income-related social assistance in the previous quarter are entitled to a food card.
• The food card does not need to be applied for separately, it is included with the above benefits and is sent to the beneficiary's home by post. 
• From 1 July 2025, €36 per beneficiary will be included on the card. The grant must be used within the quarter and the remaining amount will not be carried over to the new quarter.

Food distribution is supported by the European Union's ESF+ fund.

Read more about the food card Ministry of Social Affairs website and Rimi website.

Donated food aid collected and distributed on a rolling basis throughout the year. The food parcels are made up of surplus quality food from grocery stores, catering establishments and elsewhere. Food banks organise the collection of food from donors.

Valga distributes donated food aid Valga Food Bank.

Food aid is issued on the basis of an identity document.

The state supports these activities through the European Aid Fund. The target group of the food aid donated by the European Aid Fund are persons or households (parent/carer and children living in the same household) in a difficult economic situation, whose need has been identified by a social worker.

• Donated food aid is payable for the month of the assessment of need and the three months following the assessment. In the event of a longer period of need, the social worker will reassess the situation.
• Donated food aid is distributed at least twice a month.
• The food package weighs at least five kilograms and contains three products from different food groups. A food parcel usually contains: vegetables, cereal products, dairy products and either meat or fish products, sweets.