Food Banks and Social Impact: an overview through the lens of SDGs.

This research aims to examine how food banks (FBs) and their main activities and operations (i.e. food recovery and distribution) are linked in the literature to the theme of social impact (and/or social value). Several studies have shown that organizations pursuing social and sustainable goals need specific methods and tools to manage their activities and achieve these fundamental non-financial goals. This preliminary analysis aims to identify already published research studies, with a particular focus on the food recovery and distribution activities carried out by FBs and the impact they have on some identified SDGs, such as no poverty (SDG 1), zero hunger (SDG 2), good health and well-being (SDG 3), reduced inequalities (SDG 10), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12). The 2030 Agenda, with these specific goals, is the guiding framework for research in the literature. Based on Vanclay’s theory, which defines social impact, and considering stakeholder theory (Freeman, 2010), we develop a systematic literature review and identify direct and indirect impacts of FBs’ activities (core and secondary) and some categories of stakeholders on whom these impacts fall.