200,000 people may stop receiving food in Catalonia

A few days ago, on our Instagram profile, we shared with you our participation in the event organized by the “Taula del Tercer Sector” to assess the perspectives on food poverty.

Today, the newspaper La Vanguardia echoes the warning issued by the Banc d'Aliments de Barcelona about the situation of people who depend on European food aid in 2024. Due to a change in the food aid system at the heart of the European Union, it is estimated that 200,000 people in Catalonia may stop receiving food that they have been receiving up to now. The change is due to the fact that the EU is betting on giving cash cards to families with children, so that they can freely buy food that they need, instead of the usual batches. This, which may be positive for families, will only be effective for 10% of the people assisted so far, around 20,000, and the rest will be left out.

On the other hand, inflation and the increase in food prices will mean that the amount of food purchased by families will be less at the same cost, since entities such as the Banc d'Aliments could have more advantageous offers.

From Nutrición Sin Fronteras we want to express our concern about the uncertainty of how this change will be carried out and how we can help the people who are left out. That is why we are calling for urgent action from the administration and working together with the network of neighbourhood organisations that know and follow the people, to find a mixed system between the one that was in place and the wallet card that would have to come into force in 2024.