Belgian food banks distribute record volumes as funding cuts loom
On Wednesday, the Belgian Federation of Food Banks (BFFB) announced that Belgian food banks had distributed a record 27,985 tonnes of food in 2025, an increase of 8.4 per cent on the previous year. However, the amount of food aid available in future years is expected to drop sharply due to budget cuts by the federal government.
On average, 204,791 people in Belgium relied on emergency food aid each month in 2025. While that figure is lower than in 2022, 2023 and 2024, it remains significantly higher compared to earlier years. In total, 56 million meals were distributed, with an estimated record value of 106 million euro. Of the food collected, 58 per cent was saved from waste, also a record.
The increase is due to a greater contribution from the distribution sector and a higher supply of vegetables and fresh produce through auctions. Food banks also received support for the first time from food banks in France and the Netherlands. Waste Warriors, which purchases unharvested crops at a fair price and processes them into new products with local producers, helped out as well.
"The combination of a slight decrease in the number of beneficiaries and a record amount of food made available has led to a 9 per cent increase in the amount of food per person, to 136.65 kg per year," said managing director Marc Mertens. "In concrete terms, this means that we were able to provide an average of more than five meal equivalents per week."
Cutbacks threaten aid supplies
However, the outlook for 2026 and 2027 is less favourable. Belgium's federal government has decided to stop allocating 10 million euros from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) to food aid. This funding accounted for 38 per cent of the food banks' supplies in 2025. As a result, available food aid is expected to fall from more than 10,000 tonnes to less than 6,000 tonnes.
At the same time, food banks anticipate rising demand, partly due to tighter unemployment rules. "We help people who fall through the cracks," said federation chairman Piet Vanthemsche. "The policy is becoming less generous and the cracks will get bigger."
To reduce dependence on public funding, the federation is encouraging companies to make use of favourable VAT rules for donations. It also plans to set up a dedicated fund for food purchases, supported by private donations. A new platform should connect small donors with local associations, while cooperation with farmers and horticulturalists will be strengthened.
© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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