The number of Amsterdammers turning to food banks to help feed themselves and their families has gone up 65% in four years, according to Monday’s edition of the Parool.

Last year, 1,800 minimum income households in the Dutch capital were helped by foodbanks. Most were in the Zuidoost district but Noord, West and Nieuw-West also made considerable use of the provisions, the Parool said.

There are a total of 11 food banks spread throughout the city plus one in Amstelveen and one in Diemen.

The organisation which runs the food banks said the impact of the economic crisis is due to the rise in demand for its services.