Food banks relax income rules, more people can apply for help

DutchNews, January 4, 2017

The Dutch food bank organisation has raised the income level at which people can apply for help so that more people will be able to ask for a food parcel. 

From now on, single people with no more than €200 a month in disposable income will be able to apply for help, up from €180 last year. The income level for a family with two children is now €440. 

The change has been made possible because the food banks are being given more donations by supermarkets and other organisations, broadcaster NOS said. The Russian boycott of some Dutch fruit and vegetables has also boosted supplies. 

Last year we invested heavily in food safety and almost all the food banks are now certified,’ spokeswoman Pien de Ruig told the broadcaster. 

In 2015 the food banks had 88,000 clients, compared with 94,000 in 2014. Despite the drop, demand is still high, De Ruig said, adding that ‘more than one million Dutch people live below the poverty line’.