Dutch food producers increase donations to food bank

The pressure on the Voedselbank (food bank) is increasing; the number of clients is expected to increase by at least 40 per cent this winter compared to the beginning of 2022. Unox, Iglo, Hak and Bolletje are therefore forming a 'Winter Collective' together to come to the aid of the Voedselbank and help families in need. Other food producers are urged to join this collective too.

Getting through the winter together

Unox will donate 500,000 cans and bags of soup to the Voedselbank. Hak is increasing the donation to 600,000 jars of vegetables. In addition, Iglo will come up with 10,000 complete nutritious meals and 10,000 vegetable mixes and Bolletje will donate 120,000 breakfast and snack products. A move in the right direction, but much more is needed to provide Voedselbank clients with sufficient food parcels. 

More demand, less supply; major concern at the Voedselbank

The Voedselbank is delighted with this extra donation, as it enables them to continue offering varied and healthy food to those who are having an extra hard time at the moment. Leo Wijnbelt, chairman of Voedselbanken Nederland: "This is really heartening. These are huge numbers. It's great to see that various Dutch industry producers are all contributing in their own way to want to help people in poverty."

The help from food producers is badly needed. "We have a huge shortage of especially nutritious food, especially as we enter winter and fresh produce is harder to come by," says Wijnbelt. There is also less volume coming in overall, as companies are getting better at preventing food waste. In itself a favourable development, but the Food Bank thus sees shortages increasing further. "The Winter Collective gives us the much-needed push in the right direction. We hope it will persuade other companies, big or small, to assist as well. Because a lot more is needed."

Hetwintercollectief.nl
Hak.nl