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Belgium donates potatoes to food bank
The potato processors in Belgium will donate 25 tons of potatoes to the food banks every week. The proposal comes from the Flemish Minister of Agriculture Hilde Crevits. The government pays for the costs of washing, packaging and distributing the potatoes.
Due to the measures taken in response to the corona crisis, the potato sector is struggling with large surpluses. In this way, part of the potatoes will still get a destination, says Minister Crevits. “We want to prevent as much as possible the loss of all that excellent food, which growers have worked hard for.”
The ministry has therefore concluded an agreement with Belgapom. The sector organization for the potato trade and processing will donate 25 tons of potatoes a week to the food banks. The first shipment was distributed today, Thursday 23 April, from the central depot of the food banks in Grimbergen to the local distribution points.
Drop on hot plate
The agreement is valid until the end of May. This means that for a period of 6 weeks, potatoes go to the food banks, a total of 150.000 kilos. It's just a drop in the ocean, given the large stocks that growers face. The total Belgian potato stock was estimated at the beginning of April at 1,71 million tons of potatoes. Also the stocks at the processors are piling up.
"Nevertheless, as a potato chain, we are happy that thanks to this campaign, part of the potatoes is given a destination," says Romain Cools of Belgapom. "In this way we also contribute to supplying the weakest in our society with tasty and healthy potatoes."
Jeanette Pennings
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