The Spanish Government, through the Spanish Agricultural Guarantee Fund (FEGA), has launched the first phase of food distribution to disadvantaged people in Melilla. Specifically, it is 33,426.96 kilos of food worth 50,417 euros.
The designated Associated Distribution Organizations (OADs), which are the Spanish Red Cross and the Food Bank, through their 2 storage and distribution centers, will distribute the food they receive from the EAGGF to 15 partner distribution organizations that, in turn, serve 3,319 people in need in a situation of social or economic dependence.
Yesterday, the Director of the functional area of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Government Delegation, Isabel Bassets, together with the representative of the General Intervention of the State Administration (IGAE), Amelia Fernández, went to the warehouses of the Red Cross and the Food Bank to inspect the arrival of food that will be distributed shortly among the associations and make the reception record.
As Bassets has reported, the amount of food distributed in this first phase corresponds to 40% of the annual total. Foods, which are basic in character and non-perishable, such as rice, chickpeas, pasta (noodle and spaghetti), tuna, cocoa, biscuits, menestra vegetables, chicken and fruit pots, and fried tomato. They cover an important part of the purchase basket of the families benefiting from the program.
Isabel Bassets has highlighted the increase of 2 food distribution entities compared to last year, as well as the increase of beneficiaries. In this phase, nearly 800 families will be cared for. An average family of 4 people is responsible for a total of 40 kilos of food at this stage.
126,000 euros for 2023
As explained by the Director of the functional area of Agriculture and Fisheries of the Government Delegation, the total economic item for Melilla for this year amounts to 126,046 euros.
In the second phase of the program, which will be carried out in autumn, 50,541 kilos of food will be distributed, valued at 75,628 euros. The purchase of food from this programme is 100% funded by the European Union.