The number of people using a food bank has stabilized in the first months of this year. According to Food Banks Netherlands, this is due to the increases in benefits and the energy ceiling. At the end of last year, the demand for food packages increased considerably.
In the last quarter of 2022, the number of food bank customers increased by 30 percent to 120,000 per week. This happened at the same time as the sharp increase in inflation and energy prices.
The figure has therefore remained the same since the beginning of 2023, but according to the spokesman it is still “beeping and creaking” at the food banks. “We manage, but it is a challenge. Especially now that fruit and vegetables have become more expensive.”
Because many people are faced with high costs, the cabinet lowered the threshold for using a food bank in September.
For example, a single parent with two children might previously receive a food package if they had less than 450 euros left over for food and drink, for example. The limit is now 520 euros.