Emergency winter campaign launched amid concerns about food supply

An emergency campaign has been launched to stockpile food for people most in need amid concerns about supply this winter.

FareShare South West was already predicting a difficult few months, with the rising cost of living, end of furlough and reduction in uUniversal Credit taking their toll, but the ongoing HGV crisis has forced the charity to accelerate efforts to support those facing food poverty.

FareShare provides food to more than 350 frontline organisations across the region and has already seen a 30 per cent reduction in supply caused by the ongoing HGV driver shortage.

Concerns about the security of food supply have prompted charity bosses to bring forward their emergency winter campaign, FoodStock 2021. Following on from a similar citywide effort last year, the campaign aims to build a stockpile of ambient food as well as the funds and infrastructure to deliver it through a difficult winter.

FareShare South West CEO Julian Mines says: “We knew that this winter would present challenges, with the rising cost of living, the complete end to furlough, and with the reduction in Universal Credit. That is why we planned to run FoodStock 2021, boosting levels of food reaching those most in need during the winter months.

“However, with the additional challenges created by the HGV driver crisis, and with our expectation that this disruption will remain for some time, it is clear that the scale of our FoodStock 2021 operation will need to be more significant, and that we may need more support from the people of Bristol than we had previously expected.”

FareShare South West’s temporary warehouse on Winterstoke Road is in operation for this winter – photo by Ellie Pipe

It is hoped the emergency stockpile of food, along with increased funds generated by the campaign, will mean FareShare can bolster deliveries to organisations working with the most vulnerable over winter while also maintaining regular operations and ensuring food continues to reach those currently in need.

Julian adds: “The disruption we’re experiencing sadly means increased costs to our charity, including organising last minute collections and deliveries, overhauling systems at short notice and the costs associated with getting increasing amounts of short-dated food through our warehouses and to partners quickly, in order to avoid waste.

“We are yet again relying on the power of Bristol – a city brimming with care and compassion – to come together to help us ensure those most in need don’t go without this winter.”

FareShare’s temporary warehouse in Ashton Gate will be brought back into use as the hub for FoodStock 2021, with deliveries from the warehouse expected to start as soon as Monday.

To contact the charity to discuss donating food at scale or haulage support to the winter operation, email ben.evans@faresharesouthwest.org.uk

Main photo courtesy of FareShare South West

Read more: Mammoth effort to meet spiralling demand as food poverty in Bristol soars

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: