Who is entitled to food packages and where to get them: a guide for residents

Life package – how to receive food rations.

Food packages are a popular form of assistance in Latvia. In 2025, up to 45,000 people received this support quarterly, according to the Social Integration Fund (SIF). The number is expected to increase, as the number of impoverished individuals in Latvia has risen recently.

Who is entitled to assistance

The European Social Fund Plus program aimed at reducing material deprivation from 2021 to 2027 is available to two groups of recipients:

those in need
those who have received a certificate stating they are in a crisis situation.

To receive support packages, a person must contact the social service of their municipality, where the applicant's income is assessed.

If a certificate is issued, food packages can be obtained at one of the 366 distribution points across Latvia. Additionally, with the support of the Fund, about 27 soup kitchens for the poor provide meals in Latvia.

More detailed information is available at www.atbalstapakas.lv.

Where to find distribution addresses

Detailed information on the conditions for receiving this assistance, its frequency, and distribution addresses with the phone numbers of responsible persons is available on the portal atbalstapakas.lv in the "INFORMĀCIJA" (Information) section.

In the text of this section, there is a link "Atbalsta komplektu izdales vietu un maltīšu saņemšanas vietu informācija skatāma šeit". By clicking on the word "šeit" (here), you can obtain a list of cities/counties where support points are located. Then, by selecting the one that suits you, you can find specific support locations - with addresses, phone numbers, and working hours. Contact persons and their phone numbers/email addresses are also specified there.

What is included in the food package

The food package (P2025) consists of:

1. oatmeal - 0.4 kg
2. four-grain flakes - 0.4 kg
3. pearl barley - 0.4 kg
4. buckwheat - 0.4 kg
5. pasta - 0.5 kg
6. high-quality wheat flour - 0.4 kg
7. rice - 0.4 kg
8. instant mashed potatoes without milk - 0.20 kg
9. canned pork - 0.25 kg
10. sugar - 0.40 kg
11. egg powder - 0.10 kg
12. condensed milk with sugar - 0.40 kg
13. peas - 0.4 kg
14. refined rapeseed oil - 0.5 l
15. dry skimmed milk - 0.4 kg
16. mackerel in its own juice - 0.48 kg
17. canned beef - 0.25 kg.

What else can be received

Support packages from SIF are not limited to food. You can also receive:

• hygiene and household product sets (liquid soap, hair shampoo, toothpaste, etc.)
• food packages for young children (2 types depending on the child's age)
• hygiene kits for young children (4 types depending on the child's age)

According to the Ministry of Welfare, at the end of February this year, there were 41,825 "newcomers" with low-income status in Latvia, which is 1.6% more than at the end of January.