Food agency closes Poverello due to mouse problem: « painful, but we can’t take any risks » (Ghent)

For barely a euro, over -50s at Poverello get a hot meal, which is prepared with love and served by around forty volunteers. But currently the social restaurant is closed in Komijnstraat. On Wednesday, Poverello received inspectors from the Federal Food Safety Agency (FAVV).

« They found traces of mice, including droppings and eaten packaging, » says spokesman Liesbeth van de Voorde. « That is a risk for food safety. It was decided to close the restaurant immediately. »

No risks

The fact that many vulnerable people from Ghent desperately need the help of Poverello naturally makes the situation extra painful. « We all understand that, » says Van de Voorde. « But with food safety, we cannot take risks or make an exception. Moreover, just because this is a vulnerable audience, we must strictly monitor it. »

« We cannot take risks or make an exception on food safety »

Liesbeth van de Voorde

Favv

To be open again, Poverello has to solve the problem and thoroughly clean everything. Any cracks or cracks along which the mice can enter must be closed. « After that they have to let us know and we come by for a re -control, » says Van de Voorde. « That can go very quickly. »

Reopen as soon as possible

Mark Swannet, director at Poverello, does not want to respond to the case. « But we hope to open again as soon as possible. »

In addition to Poverello, Ghent also has a lot of places where you can eat for free or at a social rate. There are a dozen social restaurants, such as Eetcafé Toreke in the Vlotstraat and the Restaurant Arbed in Gentbrugge. You can also go to social grocers and food organizations for free or cheap food.

You can find an overview on city.gent (search for ‘cheap meals’)

Read too. Here you can buy as much food for 1 euro as you want: « I have been spending almost nothing on groceries for six years »