The farmer’s blockade of the Lidl distribution center in Almere has today led to empty shelves at branches in North Holland and Flevoland. Customers were especially wrong with fruit, vegetables and dairy products. Lidl confirms that the delivery problems are a result of the protests and that it is mainly the fresh products that are temporarily on the shelves in smaller numbers.
Empty shelves in Lidl are the result of the farmer’s blockade at Almere distribution center
By means of a note on the door, Lidl in Hilversum decided to warn customers upon arrival that they might be disappointed. Inquiries with messengers who leave the store after shopping reveals that indeed many shelves remain empty today.
“You notice it immediately when you enter”, a young lady says. “Vegetables, fruit, meat, meats, dairy products. Lots of empty spaces.” An elderly lady pushing an almost empty cart agrees. “But it’s not such a problem”, she puts it into perspective. “Then you just improvise around it. It just shouldn’t take too long because then there will be really nothing left.”
Incidentally, the activists decided to end the blockade around 2 p.m. this afternoon. The damage to the supermarkets now amounts to tens of millions of euros, the Central Bureau for Food Trade said.
on your thunder
Despite the inconvenience of shopping, most customers understand the farmers’ protests. “It is a pity that the consumer is being affected,” says the young lady. “But I also agree with the farmers. I understand them.”
An elderly couple who are just about to enter the supermarket also says they support the farmers. “We are in solidarity with them. Agriculture and fisheries are getting enough. It’s about time they were met.”
“We’re not going to hoard, we’re not going to do that”
Most messengers do not have major concerns that the situation will lead to serious food shortages. “It could well be that it will get a bit worse in the future”, sighs a lady who puts the groceries in her station wagon. “I’m not worried about that now, we’ll see.”
The elderly couple is also not fooled for the time being. “Sure, it’s just as clumsy,” says the man of the house. “But we’re not going to hoard, we’re not going to.” A lady with a trolley behind her says: “There are worse things. For now, my basket is still full.”