A look back, in four figures, on the activity of the Food Bank in Loire-Atlantique, which will celebrate its 40the birthday this Wednesday, October 16.
40
Forty years ago, a group of associations in the Nantes metropolis expanded their furniture recovery activity by creating a food collection. The Food Bank organized itself and became the key player in meal distribution.
For this anniversary, Wednesday, it invites you to visit its headquarters and the storage and distribution warehouse in Saint-Aignan-de-Grand-Lieu. The day will show the diversity of the Food Bank’s activities.
30 400
This is the number of beneficiaries of the Food Bank in 2023 in Loire-Atlantique. “We had 17,500 in 2021,” notes Jean-Robert Leconte, the president of the Food Bank 44. To follow demand, the association adapts, “because we refuse to be discriminatory. We serve everyone. We therefore reduced the quantities. » 124 solidarity associations relay this distribution.
To fill in the blank areas, towards Châteaubriant and the country of Retz, “a mobile grocery store with a van moving discreetly through the towns will be set up”.
2 000
This is the tonnage of food collected per year. “Supplies come mainly from donations from agri-food and distribution companies, but also from purchases thanks to state aid. » Other sources, support from Europe, the recovery of unsold items and two collections in supermarkets. The next one will take place at the end of November.
The Food Bank organized itself by creating a prospecting team, “four people who go out into the field to meet businesses and small producers”.
130
This is the number of volunteers who give their time on the Saint-Aignan-de-Grand-Lieu and Saint-Nazaire platforms. “We still need it for necessary renewal,” pointe Jean-Robert Leconte.
The Bank is also a meeting place. Example with Marylène, Claudine and Dominique. “We became friends. We also see each other outside. »
