PEOPLE in Salisbury struggling with food poverty will be able to get access to fresh fruit and vegetables.

Salisbury Foodbank has joined forces with Central Fruits who will be supplying and delivering the boxes on behalf of the charity.

The initiative launched this week on Monday, September 12.

Salisbury Foodbank manager Maria Stevenson, speaking about the roll-out of the initiative, said: "It is wonderful, it is something that was in our hearts and minds to do going back over a year but it hadn't been the right time for us.

"It is something I know our supporters are really fond of offering, the fresh fruit and veg option. We've had many people come into us asking if they can fund such a project and that is how we're going to achieve this. Our funders are really keen to get behind this and if anyone else wants to donate money towards this initiative please do get in touch."

The fruit and vegetable boxes will add to the food already given out by the foodbank.

"Our standard offering is a box to feed someone for three days so we are so pleased that Central Fruits and Matt are able to give us this additional benefit," adds Maria who says this will give people an opportunity to get added vitamins from fresh produce that they might not otherwise have access to and will "compliment" the food they would already receive from the foodbank.

She says offering these fresh food items will make a difference for people's health and wellbeing.

The charity is running it as a pilot scheme at a number of its foodbank centres but hopes it can expand it to others shortly.

Maria said: "We're reacting to people's needs and if it saves people a few more pennies coming into this really harsh winter that we're all expecting that is only a good thing."

The charity is already seeing an increase in the number of people it is supporting and will be keeping a watchful eye on its stock levels. In August, the foodbank fed 745 people - 40 per cent were children.

"This just goes a little bit extra to support those families," added Maria, who says the high demand is expected to continue.

Matt Sherman, who owns Central Fruits based in The Maltings, said: "It is a massive opportunity to give something back to the community. Also it keeps it local and that is what my ethos as a business is buying local and keeping it fresh."

"The majority of our veg comes direct from growers," explains Matt who said it was "good" to be working with Salisbury Foodbank. Central Fruits is also members of the New Forest Marque.

Those wishing to support the foodbank can make monetary donations via justgiving.com/campaign/SalisburyFoodbankFoodFund. Alternatively, cheques can be made payable to Salisbury Foodbank and sent or brought into its warehouse at Unit 6b, Ashfield Trading Estate, Ashfield Road, Salisbury, SP2 7HL. These donation can also be gift aided.

 

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