Fruit & Vegetable Brigade passes milestone of 10 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables for food bank clients

The Fruit & Vegetable Brigade is proud to announce that they have passed the 10 million kilo mark in their donations of fresh fruit and vegetables to food banks. Founded in 2018 to save fruits and vegetables from being wasted and donated to food banks, Groente & Fruitbrigade has become a vital link in food assistance for vulnerable groups in the Netherlands. Last week, the Fruit & Vegetable Brigade reached this milestone, with board member Mary van Hoek-Hendriks symbolically handing over the 10 millionth kilo to Henk Staghouwer, president of the Association of Dutch Food Banks, at the association's headquarters. By working with growers, growers and trading companies who donate surplus or non-commercial produce, the Fruit & Vegetable Brigade has established an effective system to combat food waste while reducing food insecurity.

Starting Fruit & Vegetable Brigade

Fruit & Vegetable Brigade was founded in 2018 to save fruits and vegetables from being wasted and donated to food banks so that they can offer their clients a fresh and healthy supply in their weekly food drives. The initiative started at the Freshpark in Poeldijk with a small team of committed volunteers, a forklift, a shed and the first donor of fruits and vegetables. After impressive growth, the Fruit & Vegetable Brigade has now become an established organization with more than 75 volunteers, three strategically located sorting and distribution locations in Poeldijk, Venlo and Nagele, and national coverage to food banks.

Milestone in donation to food banks

Last week, Vegetable & Fruit Brigade reached the milestone of the 10 millionth kilo of fruits and vegetables provided to the food bank since its inception. Board member Mary van Hoek-Hendriks of Groente & Fruitbrigade symbolically presented it to Henk Staghouwer, chairman of the Association of Dutch Food Banks."Groente & Fruitbrigade makes a crucial contribution to our food aid. Not only because of the large quantities, but especially because of the health value of these fresh products. This makes them an indispensable partner in our mission to make good and healthy food available to everyone."

Fighting food waste

Groente & Fruitbrigade receives fruits and vegetables from different links in the agrifood chain. From growers and breeders struggling with fruit and vegetables that do not meet the beauty ideal to surpluses at trading companies. Meanwhile, a number of parties have also joined from social commitment and are donating fruits and vegetables to the Fruit & Vegetable Brigade. "We have focused since inception on building volume and perpetuating our organization. Our focus going forward is on creating more variety and tapping into new suppliers earlier in the chain. In doing so, we want to offer a full year-round and varied supply to the food bank customer. Everyone should have access to good food. We are happy to contribute to that with our volunteers. People who want to join this are very welcome, as a volunteer or as a supplier." said Mary van Hoek-Hendriks.

---End of press release ---

Photo:

Henk Staghouwer (chairman Dutch Food Banks Association) accepts 10 millionth kilo from Mary van Hoek-Hendriks (board member Vegetable & Fruit Brigade). Photo: Willem Mes Photography