More Belgians using food banks with numbers expected to rise

Each month in 2021, an average of 177,238 people used food banks, according to the Belgian Federation of Food Banks (FBBA) during the presentation of its annual results on Thursday. This represents nearly 2,000 more monthly beneficiaries. The organisation fears that this increase will continue, while energy and food costs are rising.

A total of 22,229 tonnes of food were distributed in 2021, a volume comparable to that of 2020. The surplus offered by the food industry decreased by 11% compared to 2020. In addition, Food Banks received 20% less goods from the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (Fead). This was a decrease that had to be offset by the additional purchase of 2,039 tonnes of food.

"Without these purchases, financed mainly by exceptional grants from the Federal Public Service for Social Integration Programming (SPPIS), the beneficiaries would have suffered a severe structural shortage of food supply," the organisation said.

Energy prices have risen sharply since mid-2021, with the cost of natural gas and electricity increasing to €2,250 per year for an average consumption, or €187 per month. This is expected to have an impact on food prices in the coming months.

"In addition, a significant increase in food prices is expected,” the FBBA said. “As a result, food banks fear that in 2022, many people in need will have to choose between heating or feeding themselves. The situation could not be more serious."

In order to support and encourage food donations, the FBBA is asking policymakers for additional tax incentives, such as a tax reduction on these donations.

"Companies that donate food products can recover VAT (6%) on them,” said FBBA president Piet Vanthemsche. “Unfortunately, this incentive seems insufficient to continue to receive enough food donations. That's why we would like to see a system similar to that of France, where the net book value of donated food can be deducted, which is a real tax reduction."