The Congress of the Federation of Food Banks is being held in Paris: 56,000 tons of foodstuffs were distributed in French territory in 2000 alone, equivalent to 11 million meals for some 800,000 persons, without spending anything Waste nothing and buy nothing : that is the first objective of the French Federation of food banks that is now holding its national congress in Paris. Established in 1984, the Federation is now present in more than ten European countries through a close-knit economic and social network whose effectiveness is being demonstrated day after day: 56,000 tons of foodstuffs distributed on French territory in the year 2000 alone. That is equivalent to 11 million meals, for a total value of 833 million francs (over 2.8 billion lire), distributed to 800,000 persons. Our consumerist society produces more than it consumes. Taking its cue from this basic fact, the principle of food banks is simple: to collect, manage and share the foodstuffs free of charge. Of the 56,000 tons of food distributed last year, 30% came from the food industries (dried or frozen products), 25% from PEAD (European Programme of food aid for those most in need) which is resupplied by surplus production, 8% from national production withdrawn from the market (fruit and vegetables), 20% from the large distribution networks and the rest from national collections of perishable foodstuffs from private citizens. For 17 years the Federation has never bought anything. Nor has it sold anything. “We store what we have received, and we share it among our member associations that subscribe to a certain ethic – explains Bernard Dandrel, a former banker and President of the Federation ever since its origin -; everything is a gift, everything is shared, and this gives rise to relations of reciprocity. The members of the associations are urged to accept help from those they help and thus to convert their beneficiaries into protagonists, for they too are a precious resource”. Danieli explains: “By simple actions, such as the preparation of food packs, the collection of fruit and vegetables, the unloading of food from a van, the ghetto of loneliness can be broken down, a relation established with one’s fellowmen and an effective action performed that may restore a sense of dignity and identity”. In fact, the Federation’s ambition goes a good deal further than mere nutritional support. Its aim is to “nourish those who have a hunger for bread and for friendship”, comments its President. “Restoring man” is the theme of this 3rd Congress, the fruit of the Federation’s humanistic tradition and aspirations. Apolitical and aconfessional as regards its operation and personnel, the Federation derives its origin from 5 Christian movements: Emmaüs, Secours Catholique (French equivalent of Catholic Action in Italy), the Salvation Army, Entraide Protestante (Protestant Mutual Aid), and the Corot Centre, brought together in 1984 by a nun, Sister Cécile Bigot of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart. Following an article of Sister Cécil on the new forms of poverty, published in “la Croix”, a Canadian passing through France, who had set up a food bank in his own country in 1981, got in touch with her and offered his collaboration. A financial company, “Unigrain”, agreed to supply with bread the hospitality centres served by the food bank, and only a week later, the frozen food products company “Vivagel” offered 2,000 fishes, almost a realization of the Gospel parable. The Congress of the Federation of food banks is being attended by some 4,000 associations, represented by 1,200 participants and supported by 79 food banks (the 79th was established on the island of Réunion last June). Five round tables are planned at the Congress: on how to put an end to food aid by breaking the vicious circle of welfare; on how to combat wastage in an economy of profit; on how to break down the walls of loneliness and avoid commiseration; on how to improve partnerships; and on how to achieve the greater involvement of the beneficiaries, associations and volunteers. To mark the occasion a book will be published containing 20 initiatives aimed at “restoring man”, to help the associations to extend and finalize their efforts. Maryvonne Gasse
