Belgapom, the association for the Belgian potato trade and processing industry, will distribute 25 tons of potatoes each week through the Food Banks in Belgium. The Flemish government will bear the costs for washing and packaging the potatoes. The company is in charge of the costs of the potatoes, the handling and the transport.
The Belgian potato sector exports to more than 160 countries around the world. The corona measures, including the closure of the hospitality industry and the cancellation of numerous sports and other events, have significantly reduced the demand for processed potato products at home and abroad. As a result, the sector is left with a lot of unworkable potatoes.
As Food Banks are suffering from a shortage of food, Flemish Minister of Agriculture Hilde Crevitstogether with the potato sector has decided to make 25 tons of potatoes available to Food Banks every week until the end of May. “In this way, part of the potato stock still gets a destination and food loss is avoided,” the Minister said. Families in need will be provided weekly with fresh, local potatoes. “A positive action in difficult times“, says Crevits.
According to Romain Cools, Secretary of Belgapom, the potato sector is doing its best to find a destination for the surplus of potatoes. “Our entire potato chain is pleased that thanks to this action some of the potatoes find their way to the 460 distribution points of the Belgian Food Banks. In this way, we also contribute to delivering tasty and healthy potatoes to the most needy in our society” he says.
Source: www.foodbanks.be
