The government is to provide £16m to food charities to help people struggling to eat enough during the coronavirus pandemic.
Ministers said some 5,000 English charities would benefit, with groups including FareShare and the Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap) helping deliver meals over the next 12 weeks.
Lindsay Boswell, chief executive of Fareshare, an anti-food waste charity, said the money would not be used to cover its running costs – meaning all of it will go towards providing food.
Download the new Independent Premium app
Sharing the full story, not just the headlines
She said in a statement: “We have seen the generosity of the food industry who have stepped up to donate food and logistical support to help us do this, and the government has now come in to play its part.”
The government funding, part of £750m already pledged to the charitable sector by Rishi Sunak, was announced at Friday’s Downing Street press conference.
1/6
Aiden and Tanya from South Hill School in Hemel Hempstead put up Damien Hirst’s butterfly heart in their school window
Jeremy Selwyn
2/6
Brothers and sisters, Mei, Rio and Jui, proudly hold up Help The Hungry posters
Nigel Howard
3/6
Elise and Josie pose with their poster at their Carshalton home
Daniel Hambury/@stellapicsltd
4/6
The heart is a symbol of solidarity and hope to support the Independent’s Help The Hungry campaign
Evening Standard
5/6
The Turner Prize-winning artist created the rainbow heart design filled with butterflies, one of his motifs, to pay tribute to charities and individuals helping to feed vulnerable people during the coronavirus crisis
6/6
Students at South Hill School in Hemel Hempstead wave as they display a butterfly heart poster
1/6
Aiden and Tanya from South Hill School in Hemel Hempstead put up Damien Hirst’s butterfly heart in their school window
Jeremy Selwyn
2/6
Brothers and sisters, Mei, Rio and Jui, proudly hold up Help The Hungry posters
Nigel Howard
3/6
Elise and Josie pose with their poster at their Carshalton home
Daniel Hambury/@stellapicsltd
4/6
The heart is a symbol of solidarity and hope to support the Independent’s Help The Hungry campaign
Evening Standard
5/6
The Turner Prize-winning artist created the rainbow heart design filled with butterflies, one of his motifs, to pay tribute to charities and individuals helping to feed vulnerable people during the coronavirus crisis
6/6
Students at South Hill School in Hemel Hempstead wave as they display a butterfly heart poster
Wrap chief executive Marcus Gover said his organisation was finalising the first batch of applications by charities.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said in a statement: “These supplies will be in addition to those already donated by supermarkets, hospitality businesses, wholesalers, smaller retailers, suppliers and manufacturers who have been working collectively, coordinated by the Institute of Grocery Distribution.
“The funding is part of the £750m pot announced by the chancellor for frontline charities across the UK during the coronavirus outbreak.”
Earlier this month, figures showed that the number of children relying on food banks had doubled during the UK’s period of coronavirus lockdown. Organisers said loss of income and delays or problems with accessing benefits were the most common reasons for demand, with many people who had never previously used food banks now reliant on them.
The Independent is running a separate Help the Hungry campaign that also seeks to avoid food waste and turn surplus produce into meals for people who are struggling. This website has pledged to raise £10m to help The Felix Project feed people who are unable to afford or access enough food over the next three years.
We are encouraging readers to help groups that are trying to feed the hungry during the crisis – find out how you can help here. Follow this link to donate to our campaign in London, in partnership with the Evening Standard.
