Food network set-up to provide support in Salisbury

Food charities and community organisations in Salisbury have joined forces to establish a new local food network to offer additional provisions to residents in most need of support.

Salisbury Foodbank, The Pantry Partnership CIC, Harnham Harvest Table, Salisbury City Council’s The Pantry and Wiltshire Council have created the Foodie Network and are committed to supporting residents in Salisbury and the surrounding areas who need help to put a meal on their table, including low-income families, those living in isolation, older people and carers.

Wiltshire Council highlight that during the COVID-19 pandemic, vulnerable groups and communities have been disproportionately impacted over the past two years. Furthermore, with the cost-of-living crisis affecting the most vulnerable in society, many residents are feeling added pressure to ensure enough food is available for themselves and for their families.

Cllr Sven Hocking, Chair of the Salisbury Area Board, said, “The new Foodie Network was created this year as a local priority through to support
under-represented groups, as it has been particularly difficult [for] a number of residents in Salisbury. With our food charities and community groups working more closely together, any individual or family in our city can find the advice and support they require by contacting the local food groups.

“Thank you to our incredible charities, community groups and volunteers in our city, for the thousands of tonnes of food which have been donated, collected, distributed and shared to residents across the city so far this year.

“This project is a shining example of the type of support and change that area boards can drive forward.”

A key mission of Wiltshire Council’s Business Plan is to help Wiltshire be a place where ‘We live well together’, and it aims to help support communities to be more resilient in the face of challenging times and setbacks.

Maria Stevenson, Salisbury Foodbank Manager commented, “The Foodbank has seen an increase in demand over the past couple of months and this is expected to continue. This has also hit the foodbank’s stock levels and are now in a critical status. The rising cost of living has impacted people with increases in fuel bills, food and petrol, which are all affecting local people in the city. If you are able to support the Foodbank by donating food, please get in touch.”

Salisbury food charities and community groups are available if anyone would like to ask any questions or need some extra support.

In addition, if anyone is worried about money, Wiltshire Council has a dedicated webpage with useful information and support available – click here.