High prices hit directly Food bank in trouble October 4th 11:33
A food bank can be said to be a lifeline for people who are in trouble about what to eat tomorrow.
That activity is now in jeopardy.
While the number of food donations has decreased significantly due to the prolonged corona disaster and the serious price increase, the number of families seeking support continues to increase.
With many food prices going up in October, I'm thinking about what we can do to continue delivering the food we need to the people who need it.
(Kofu Broadcasting Station Reporter Akihiko Iida)
Anxiety of high prices and single mothers
Kaori (pseudonym) is a single mother in her 30s who lives in the eastern part of Yamanashi Prefecture.
After my divorce, I work as a part-time employee at a local factory while raising four children from the age of five to the first year of high school.
Due to the influence of the new coronavirus, the number of times I have to take time off from work has increased, and my income has not reached 80,000 yen a month for the past few months.
Kaori relies on the various food items sent from the food bank.
A food bank is an activity that provides food collected through donations from companies and households to support needy families.
Children who are full of food.
When the youngest 5-year-old girl found sweets in the box that arrived, she said, "Osenbei. It's the one I like and wanted to eat," she said, and she smiled.
In addition to the prolonged spread of the new coronavirus epidemic, the price of everything essential to life, such as food, electricity, and gasoline, has soared, and Kaori is becoming more anxious.
Kaori:
“I have a lot of children, and some of them have a lot of food to eat, so it’s getting really difficult. That's what I really mean."
Donations to food banks reduced by 30%
At Food Bank Yamanashi, we listen to the stories of single mothers like Kaori, elderly households, and other people who are struggling to find ways to provide better support.
Since the outbreak of the new coronavirus, the number of calls for support has continued to increase, and last year we provided food to about 10,000 households.
Since February this year, such voices have increased further, and it is said that more than 300 requests for emergency support have been received, saying, ``It is dangerous to live tomorrow.''
However, at Food Bank Yamanashi, we are struggling with how to continue our support.
This is because donations of food, which is essential, have decreased by 30% compared to last year.
Food Bank Yamanashi Chairman Keiko Yoneyama
“There are more and more people who are forced to live extremely hard lives due to the corona crisis and high prices. This activity will not be possible unless there is an increase in the number of
High prices also hurt companies
Why are donations declining?
The prefecture's largest food wholesale company in Chuo City, Yamanashi Prefecture, has been donating to a food bank since last year in an effort to reduce food loss and contribute to the SDGs.
We have actively called for donations to approximately 1,200 business partners in the restaurant and lodging industries, such as distributing our own handouts.
However, the situation has changed in the last few months.
Yuta Hirose, a food wholesale company,
"Last year, we were able to collect about 80 kilograms of products, but when we actually weighed them this year, we were only able to collect about 50 kilograms."
The reason behind this is the high cost of living.
Almost all food prices continue to soar, with the purchase cost of marine products up to three times higher and cooking oil more than double.
Furthermore, not only this company, but also its business partners are forced to thoroughly cut costs in purchasing and manufacturing.
There is also uncertainty about the future economic recovery, and there is no room to turn to donations.
Yuta Hirose, a food wholesale company, said,
"We also want to donate, but if this situation continues, I think it will be difficult to donate."
“I want to connect somehow with support”
In the food bank Yamanashi warehouse, empty space is gradually becoming noticeable on the food shelves that used to be full.
If relief supplies continue to decrease, the poor families who are barely making ends meet will end up in even more difficult situations.
With a stronger sense of urgency, we are not only going to ask new companies, but we are also seeking additional donations from a wide range of companies that have already donated, and are trying to somehow connect with support.
Keiko Yoneyama, Chairman of Food Bank Yamanashi
: “This activity cannot be done without the support of all citizens. I want to continue
Don't hesitate to ask for help
According to the National Food Bank Promotion Council, the rapid increase in calls for support and the decrease in donations are occurring in more than 80% of the country.
It is believed that some people hesitate to seek advice because they do not want people to know that they are having trouble with their lives.
The council says that if you have lost your job or your income has decreased and you are having trouble living, do not hesitate to consult with the welfare department of your local government or your local social welfare council. .
This means that the government can contact the food bank and provide support.
Food loss reduction From approval to participation
So what can we do to survive the food bank crisis?
The key is to strengthen matching between companies and individuals who want to reduce food loss and donations to food banks.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' estimate, the amount of food loss that is thrown away despite being edible is as high as 5.22 million tons in 2020.
For this reason, it is necessary for local governments, companies, and private support groups to work together to create a system that makes it easier to donate and to strengthen the dissemination of information.
In particular, local governments are expected to be more proactively involved because they are familiar with the situation in each region, and to identify companies that want support and grasp the actual situation of households that need support.
On the other hand, personally, you may think that sending or bringing food to a food bank is a bit of a hurdle.
Some convenience stores, schools, and the counters of local governments are the receptacles.
As of October 4, one of the major convenience store chains has more than 1,800 stores nationwide that can donate unopened food that can be stored at room temperature.
However, the acceptance of donations in such familiar places is still limited, and it is necessary to expand the base.
Prices of various foodstuffs are scheduled to rise after October, and prices are expected to continue to rise for a while.
In order to overcome this predicament, society as a whole needs to take a step forward, not just agreeing but changing its mindset to participating.
Kofu Broadcasting Station Reporter
Akihiko Iida Joined the station
in 2004 Since
November last year , he
has continued to report on key industries at the Kofu Station and efforts to support the needy.