The number of people picking up groceries from the Netherlands’ food banks has gone up by 15% since the start of the year, the equivalent of 6000 households.

Leo Wijnbelt from the foodbank umbrella group Voedselbanken Nederland told the Nederlands Dagblad that the increase is considerable but that it varies greatly from food bank to food bank. ‘Some see no increase, others a much larger one,’ Wijnbelt said.

People with average incomes, who have no savings and are facing higher energy bills, are among the new claimants, he said.

Refugees from Ukraine have also been making a call on the foodbank services, deputy chairman Tom Hillemans told NOS radio.

Voedselbanken Nederland represents 171 food banks spread all over the country and helps over 160,000 people a year.  In 2019, before coronavirus, the number of food bank clients rose by 8%.

To qualify for help, the organisation looks at income and outgoings. A single person with less than €250 a month for food and clothes is entitled to use their services.