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The food parcels dropped by Allied planes in the Netherlands in 1945 were part of Operation Manna (British-led, starting April 29) and Operation Chowhound (American-led, starting May 1). These humanitarian missions delivered approximately 10,000 to 11,000 tons of food, including flour, sugar, butter, tinned meat, coffee, and chocolate, to alleviate the Hunger Winter famine in the western Netherlands.
The operation was conducted under a ceasefire agreement with German forces, who permitted flights through designated corridors and drop zones such as The Hague, Rotterdam, and Valkenburg. RAF Avro Lancaster bombers and USAAF B-17 Flying Fortress bombers flew at low altitudes to ensure the survival of the 6.6 to 11 million starving civilians in cities like Amsterdam and Utrecht. The food drops ceased on May 8, 1945, coinciding with the German surrender, and were followed by Operation Faust, a ground corridor allowing trucks to deliver additional aid.