Food Banks under Pressure / New Poverty in Germany

Reportage | 32 min. | ZDF, ARTE | ECO Media

The run on the food banks in Germany is almost unmanageable. Due to the high cost of living, more and more people are forced to queue for food. But many food banks are no longer able to cope with the rush and have to stop accepting food.

In Berlin-Neukölln, the poorest district of the capital, Uschi Sachs fights every week to get food to the poorest. The pensioner manages one of the almost 50 distribution points of the Berlin Tafel. She comments on hoping for enough donations with a Berlin joke: “It’s like playing the lottery. I’ve never won.”

Uschi collects the food from the headquarters of the Berliner Tafel, but there is not always enough there for all her needy. That’s why she and her team also go to the bakeries and supermarkets in Neukölln – more and more often in vain. Uschi Sachs has already had to reduce the rations for her needy so that everyone gets something.

Those who go to the food bank in a rich district, on the other hand, are somewhat better off. In Hamburg-Harvestehude, Norbert Grote has successfully encouraged neighbours to get involved in the local distribution point – and to contribute private food donations. The retired teacher does not want to rely on the head office of the Hamburger Tafel. But even he has reached his limits: He had to impose an admission stop for his distribution point.

Oliver Harm was able to get one of the coveted places in the queue for food. The ambulance driver is poor despite his job. The Hamburg resident barely has enough money for rent and utilities. There is not enough money for food. “I am ashamed that I have to go to the food bank,” says Oliver. His story is representative of many who are dependent on the help of the food bank since inflation and the energy crisis.