In July, Sofea, a charity focused on redistributing food to community larders, reported delivering approximately 15,000 more meals than during the same month last year. Based in Didcot, Oxfordshire, Sofea operates as part of the national food network FareShare, which aims to minimize food waste.
Since the beginning of the summer holidays, FareShare has distributed 2,500 tonnes of food across the country, equivalent to six million meals, to support various charities and families. In December, Sofea experienced significant losses due to flooding that damaged its warehouse and affected thousands of pounds worth of food.
Sofea’s director of operations, Anthony Leonard, noted that deliveries to local community larders greatly benefit those in need. He mentioned that the food provided has a substantial impact on the lives of recipients. Abingdon Community Larder is one of several larders that Sofea supplies with food. A local resident, Victoria Henstridge, a single parent, expressed that the larder has been essential for her family, helping save considerable expenses on groceries. With two active children and a demanding schedule, she highlighted the importance of such resources for meal preparation over weekends.
According to a recent FareShare survey, over half (51%) of the charities in its network anticipate an increase in demand during the summer period. Volunteer Nigel Northcott shared that the larder serves as a community hub, where families can gather and access support from organizations such as Age UK. He emphasized the role of the larder in fostering social connections among local families, showcasing the value of hospitality in these services.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj3lz3l3de6o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss