Prof. Dr Vladimir Marinkovic emphasised the importance of food donations in Serbia since the citizens’ awareness of the fight against hunger is underdeveloped, while on the other hand the rate of poverty in Serbia is very high. The participants of the meeting spoke about the establishment of a working group to tackle the issue, and Marinkovic added that legislation regarding donations of surplus food to Food Bank Belgrade, the network of which is to spread throughout Serbia, is expected in the next couple of months.

The meeting also touched on the plan and development of activities which would help food drives from different donors in Serbia and be assisted by big companies and small and medium-sized enterprises alike, with the objective of developing the network of donors and ensuring the efficient long-term operation of Food Bank Belgrade. The long-term goals would prevent food waste and help open food banks at the local level throughout the Republic of Serbia.

Patrick Alix, Secretary General of the European Federation of Food Banks, gave his full support to the development of food banks in Serbia and explained the mode of operation of the European Federation of Food Banks which mainly concerns free food donations and numerous volunteers, and is proving very cost effective.

The meeting was also attended by Radmila Ivetic, president of Food Bank Belgrade, Milana Blazic, coordinator of Food Bank Belgrade, and Hugues de Finance, project manager at the European Federation of Food Banks.