Supermarket chain to help tackle food poverty in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire

From March 29 to April 11 any purchase made in the retailer’s 260 plus food stores of products from its Irresistible range will see it donate five per cent from the sale to FareShare Midlands to help struggling families.

It is also urging its customers and members to support its Spring Food Bank Appeal by donating an item or two into special collection points.

Donations will be collected up from Central England Co-op stores and used to create food parcels by local food banks which contain around 11 items and will provide at least three days’ worth of meals for those in need.

Figures from End Child Poverty prior to the Covid-19 pandemic stated there were one million children deemed to be in poverty across the 16 counties Central England Co-op trades, including 72,085 in Cambridgeshire alone. It is feared this will only have worsened during the last 12 months.

Hannah Gallimore, Central England Co-op corporate responsibility manager, said: “Our long-standing relationship with FareShare has had a life-changing impact for people in our communities in the years we have been working together, and as the demand for support continues to grow during these uncertain times we are proud to stand with them to help those in need as we strive to create a sustainable society for all.

“Having access to food should be a simple thing but, as these figures reveal, it is becoming increasingly difficult for so many in our communities, particularly as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic continues to hit home.

“We know our kind-hearted customers will be more than willing to support by picking up products from our fantastic Irresistible range in their local shop, and by doing so giving the charity a boost and helping those families in need this spring.”

Simone Connolly, director for FareShare Midlands, said: “The support we have received from Central England Co-op and their kind customers particularly over the last year has been incredibly heart-warming. Our relationship has helped support thousands of men, women and children living in food poverty across the Midlands.

“We can’t thank the society enough for their continued generosity and decision to once again stand by not just our organisation, but our members and the individuals and families that need food support more than ever before.”

Items that can be donated include shopping basket staples from tea, sugar and cereals to other essentials such as toiletries and hygiene products to ensure people can maintain their dignity during times of crisis.

Peterborough Food Bank would be happy to receive chocolate on top of the normal groceries ahead of Easter, but also has particular demand for tinned fruit and toiletries.