Shrewsbury food hub helping to feed 35 groups a day

Perhaps many would throw them away – but to one Shrewsbury organisation they are like gold.

The volunteers and organisers of Shrewsbury Food Hub distribute tonnes of food, fruit, vegetables and bread, cakes and biscuits, which would otherwise go in the bin.

Making collections from eight supermarkets around the town, the team spends hours visiting schools, church groups, homeless centres and charities giving out food, which has been deemed to be past its sell by date.

From trays of avocados to pallets of bread and cakes, packets of biscuits and fruit and veg of every colour and shape, the produce is destined for the tables of whoever needs it in Shrewsbury.

Started in April 2016 by friends Alison Thomas and Katie Anderson, the food hub has gone from strength to strength.

At the beginning they took in food past its date from Marks and Spencer and gave it to a small number of groups around the town.

But as word spread, more supermarkets jumped on board and now they have eight donating on a daily basis. And this they give out to 35 groups including Food Bank Plus, The Ark, Severn Hospice and organisations providing mental health support, 11 schools, 11 youth clubs, four Age UK day centres, playgroups and a number of children’s sports clubs.

Alison said: “We knew that the need was there but we didn’t know how many people would benefit from it. This food should be eaten rather than creating waste. It has put us in touch with so many great people in the town. For many of the groups we work with it is like a cash injection for them.

“For example, we deliver to the hospice three or four times a week. Last week we took them two trays of potatoes and a tray of lemons. We then took them some green beans, kale and peppers. The hospice has brilliant and skilled chefs who understand how they can turn such diverse produce in to wonderful meals for everyone.”

Shrewsbury Food Hub now works with supermarkets including Sainsbury’s, M&S, Morrisons, Tesco Extra and both of the town’s Express shops as well as Bookers, and hopes to get Lidl on side for the new year.

“The great thing about the food hub is that we have been finding out all about those people who care for their community,” added Alison. “We have a gang of volunteers, 40 of them, who give up their time to help out. Some will pick up from the supermarkets, others will drop the food off at the various places we help while some more will be in our sorting depot helping to box it all up ready for delivery. Some just help once a week, others help more often but whatever they can give us is great and without them we would not be able to operate at the level we do.

“The volunteers are crucial. They really get it, they understand what is behind the food hub and they realise that we are making a difference.”

The food hub has a new depot it moved in to in late October at Battlefield. It allows them to sort and store items as they come in and gives more flexibility in the distribution of food. “At this time of year there is a big increase in the amount of donations we receive,” said Alison. “Supermarkets buy in produce and then, for example with the heavy snow recently, that did not sell. It came to us instead and we were able to give it out to those people we have identified as needing it.

“The depot has given us a huge boost in capacity and it means we can take much more food than previously. It means that we will be able to grow. Maybe next year will see us not just working with the supermarkets but also with manufacturers and other retailers. We are always looking for ways in which we can add more groups in to what we do.”