The food distribution program in Myllypuro, which has been operating for over 30 years, will be concluding as the supply of surplus food has decreased significantly. According to Minnamari Helaseppä, the chairperson of the Myllypuro food aid association and a priest from the Herttoniemi congregation, logistical improvements in the retail and industrial sectors have resulted in fewer surplus products available for distribution. This reduction has made it increasingly difficult to sustain the service, as many individuals seeking assistance are being turned away due to limited resources and the lack of variety in what is available.

The food distribution initiative began in the 1990s during a period of economic hardship, aiming to combat rising poverty and marginalization in the community. The need for food aid remains critical, with over a thousand people seeking assistance at times. Helaseppä mentioned that despite the declining availability of surplus food, the demand for food assistance continues to be a pressing issue. The program will continue until the end of April, depending on the remaining supplies.

Over the last three decades, food aid operations in the capital have expanded and diversified, adapting to the changing needs of the community. However, as the surplus food supply diminishes, community initiatives face significant challenges in addressing the ongoing hunger crisis. The Myllypuro service's closure highlights the necessity for innovative solutions to food insecurity as reliance on surplus food diminishes.