Claude Baland, President of the Fédération Française des Banques Alimentaires, came to Brussels on 29 June 2021 to visit FEBA office and then the Fédération Belge des Banques Alimentaires/Belgische Federatie van Voedselbanken (FBBA) and the Banque Alimentaire de Bruxelles-Brabant. This visit was a first for Mr Baland who became President of the French Federation in June 2020.
After meeting the Mr Jacques Vandenschrik, FEBA President, together with the FEBA team in the morning, Mr Baland visited to the Food Bank in Brussels where he met the President of the FBBA, Mr Piet Vanthemsche, and the President of the Banque Alimentaire de Bruxelles-Brabant, Mr Luc Rogge.
The visit was the occasion to discuss about the role of Food Banks at European level, the historical partnership between France and Belgium, and to reflect on the strengths and challenges of the Food Banks.
Despite differing socio-economic and cultural contexts, the networks of the Fédération Française des Banques Alimentaires and of the Fédération Belge des Banques Alimentaires/Belgische Federatie van Voedselbanken have faced similar challenges due to the effects of the COVIDS-19. The main trends and streams concerning the daily activities of Food Banks can be common for a lot of subjects.
This meeting was extremely enriching for all parties involved and a clear signal of belonging to a European network of Food Banks.
