The Mascarenes Food Bank and the Reunion Chamber of Agriculture inaugurated a fruit and vegetable processing unit, July 18 in Saint-Pierre. Fitted out in municipal premises, It is made available to farmers who wish to transform their products. In return, They will offer 10 % to the food bank. The laboratory, which required an investment of 82,000 euros supported by the meeting, is equipped to sterilize, pasteurize, frighten, Dehydrate or stiffening fruits and vegetables under vacuum, "With respect for the rules of hygiene and food safety and labeling standards for processed products". The food bank will be able to, For its part, Transform products that will be offered to it by farmers. The association already benefits from state subsidies, of the department and the municipalities of Saint-Pierre, Saint-Paul and the port, which ensure its operating budget (500,000 euros per year). On the other hand, it perceives donations from large distribution (Groupe Bernard Life), of the CMA-CGM Foundation and the European Union, as well as agrifood industries and Reunionese agricultural cooperatives, To constitute its packages and meals distributed by its partner associations and the Communal Social Action Centers (37,000 packages and 67,000 meals in 2021).
The Mascarene food bank and the Chamber of Agriculture make common cause
