Feed the culture

Feed the Culture (FTC) is a citizen-driven platform established in May 2020 amidst the COVID-19 crisis, dedicated to providing free support to professionals in the cultural, creative, and event industries within the Brussels-Capital Region. Recognizing the absence of consistent, unconditional assistance for these sectors during the pandemic, a collective of cultural professionals—including artists, event organizers, and federation employees—initiated this endeavor to address the escalating precarity among their peers. In October 2020, FTC formalized its operations by becoming a non-profit association (ASBL) managed by three administrators, all seasoned cultural professionals. The organization thrives on the dedication of volunteers from diverse artistic disciplines, who are instrumental in executing weekly distributions and other support activities. FTC operates independently, unaffiliated with any political party, professional federation, or union, and sustains its initiatives through private donations and subsidies. FTC's primary initiative is a solidarity grocery store that offers food assistance exclusively to professionals in the Cultural, Creative, and Event Industries. Every Saturday, the organization sets up a social grocery store stocked with approximately 98% unsold food items, including meat, bread, yogurt, fresh fruits and vegetables, rice, and cakes. These products are collected, sorted, and redistributed to beneficiaries who register at the beginning of each week. A nominal fee of €1 per person is charged to access the distribution, ensuring the sustainability of the program. In November 2022, FTC expanded its services to include a mental health program tailored for professionals in the Cultural, Creative, and Event Industries. This program offers both group and individual sessions with psychologists, aiming to provide tools and support to address the unique challenges faced by this community. The mental health initiative was made possible through federal government funding and underscores FTC's commitment to the holistic well-being of cultural workers. FTC's mission is to create a safety net for cultural professionals, advocating for the establishment of a dedicated social branch exclusively for culture professionals. By providing essential services such as food assistance and mental health support, FTC strives to ensure that cultural workers can continue to contribute to the vibrancy and creativity of Brussels without succumbing to the pressures of precarity. The organization has operated from various temporary locations, including SEEU in Ixelles, Chassart in Forest, and currently at Passage Charles Rogier in Saint Josse. FTC continues to seek sustainable solutions and support to maintain and expand its services, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and community action in preserving the cultural fabric of Brussels.