Food donations just got a little easier in Croatia.
On Wednesday, new regulations took effect which will be enable shops, bakeries, restaurants and manufacturers who wish to donate their food products to be exempt from paying the value-added tax. This move has finally created conditions which will enable the citizens living below the poverty line to receive food donations, reports Slobodna Dalmacija on December 11, 2015.
In addition to the Red Cross and Caritas, the MoST Association is one of a few organizations in Split which provide food to the poorest citizens. Seven months ago, MoST Association opened the Solidarity social supermarket which is currently used by 361 families, or more than 850 individuals, including 240 children.
The vice-president of the Association Dado Lelas believes that this move by the Finance Ministry will definitely make it easier to provide the needy citizens with meals. “Dukat company and several local wholesalers, such as Vindija, Disa and Šimić Company, have been supporting us through donations from the very beginning. But, I think that these changes in regulations will make it easier for others to join them, because so far it was literally more profitable for them to destroy food than to donate it to the needy people”, Lelas explained.
In addition to the donations of large chains, local organizations which provide food on a daily basis will definitely be helped by contributions from individual bakeries and restaurants. Lelas also said that the number of people in Croatia who are barely able to survive is not so large that they could not be helped. “We are still waiting for the response of companies, but those of us who care about the most vulnerable groups hope that they will show their good will. Organizations and associations from this sector have already applied to be included in the Registry of Intermediaries for Donating Food, and now it is up to the potential donors to decide whether they will participate in this initiative or not”, Lelas concluded.
Bakeries agree that the whole idea is excellent, although they do not have large amounts of unsold bread. “So far, we have not thought about the idea, because we sell out all our products with discounts which are offered during the afternoon. I agree that the idea is a good one, and we will certainly inquire about the steps which we should undertake if we are left with any unsold products in the stores”, said Leo Vučković, deputy director of the Bimita Bakery.
