Food shortage for Dutch families

Dutch food banks face increasing pressure in tandem with dwindling supply. JOEP DERKSEN investigates what life on the bread line is like for the Netherlands' poorest households.

The number of people that make use of the services of the food bank (voedselbank) has increased dramatically. It was only ten years ago that Voedselbanken Nederland was founded. Now, 24,000 families consisting of 60,000 people receive a box with elementary food supplies every week. And demand is rising by more than 10 percent per year.

Over one million people in this country live in poverty; 380,000 of them are children. But living in poverty does not automatically mean that you are entitled to free food from the voedselbank. Only households with a spending income of less than 40 euro per week may receive a box with food items.

The food bank receives the names of prospective clients from aid institutions such as the Health Care Inspectorate (Inspectie voor Gezondheidszorg, GGZ) and the Inter-Municipal Social Services (Intergemeentelijke Sociale Dienst, ISD). The Holland Times asked several food bank clients between the ages of 25 and 45 years why they need this service. Some are single, others have a family with children. All of them are heavily in debt.

A young mother (25) replied to the question of whether she could make ends meet without the food bank. "Not every week; it depends on whether I need diapers. Because of the food bank my daughter and I can eat every day. Otherwise this would not be possible." How would the food bank clients otherwise obtain their daily food necessities? "Borrow money from friends" or "getting help from family" are some of the answers. But several respondents also answered that, "If the food bank did not help, then sometimes we would not be able to eat."

Throughout the Netherlands, no less than 132 food banks are in operation. And some of these have more than 10 locations to hand out the food. Henk de Leeuw is the founder of the Voedselbank Noordwijkerhout. He sees the supply of the food items dwindling. "That is a huge problem and is due to the fact that companies make less turnover. Therefore, they reduce their costs and are more careful in throwing food items away."

Marianne Bergman is one of 6,000 volunteers working for the food bank in the village of Lisse, which was set up in 2008. "In the beginning we brought the food to people’s homes. But that became too hard." She points out that in the past, volunteers had to carry heavy crates out of the car and often up the stairs of high rise buildings, but that clients now come to a collection point to pick up their parcel. Supervision is needed. "We have 80 baskets available, but if we don’t pay attention, food will go from one basket to the other."

Times are hard for the food bank, continues Bergman. "The difference in supply of food between 2008 and now is huge. Four years ago, we would get over 10 kilograms of fresh food per box, but now not anymore. Sometimes we even receive mouldy beetroots." This unsuitable food must be sifted out of the supply and is given as fodder to horses on a nearby range.

Harrie Timmerman, head of publication and communication for Voedselbanken Nederland, acknowledges that times are hard. "We fear that it will become even tougher because of the economic situation. More people become unemployed and fall into a financial swamp." In addition, as of 1 July eligible families may obtain a maximum of one social security allowance. If two people or more in a household receive these kind of payments, they will be cancelled.

The voedselbank is struggling to keep up with the ever increasing demand. "When companies take a more critical look at their production, less surplus food remains for the food bank." However, Timmerman still sees opportunities. "A lot of surplus production is used as fodder; we would like to receive more of that food for our clients." In addition, Voedselbanken Nederland is negotiating with the Dutch government to let the government apply for European food aid.

Timmerman points out that, "Throughout Europe, a lot of food is freely available; up to a value of 500 million euro for the 27 member nations." The Netherlands is one of few countries that does not make use of this service; a matter of pride according to Timmerman. "We pay billions of euro to the EU and this food aid is a good way of getting something back. It is sad that the government refuses this aid because of principal reasons."

(Verschenen in: The Holland Times, mei editie).