Continuation of food fund

More families across Scotland will benefit from improved access to fresh and healthy food, thanks to the continuation of a £1 million fund.

The Fair Food Fund was initially set up for 2016/17 to help give people opportunities to access fresh and healthy food, share a meal, or develop new skills.

The £1 million per year investment will now be continued, and aims to help find sustainable solutions and reduce reliance on emergency food provision.

Speaking ahead of a parliamentary debate on creating a fairer Scotland this afternoon, Communities Secretary Angela Constance said:

“It is unacceptable that anyone in Scotland should be struggling to feed themselves and their families.

“Tackling every aspect of poverty is my top priority and the £1 million Fair Food Fund reflects this Governments commitment to tackling food poverty.

“It is disappointing that in a prosperous country like Scotland, people have to rely on foodbanks. We want to deal with food poverty in a dignified and effective way, and in a way that can be maintained.

“This funding will go to innovative community projects that are helping people access affordable food, like Centrestage Communities in Ayrshire.

“It will also support FareShare, which redistributes surplus food to projects and charities; continue to feed more than 15,500 people every week in a way that cuts down food waste.”

FareShare is a UK-wide charity which redistributes surplus food that would otherwise go to waste, to frontline charities and community groups.

Gillian Kynoch, Head of FareShare in Scotland, said:

“A great deal of emergency food relief is given as long life tins and packets, whereas FareShare aims to provide fresh meat, dairy and fruit and veg as well to give organisations the means to provide cooked meals, much needed social contact and those special items that make people feel better about themselves.”

The 370 groups that receive food from FareShare in Scotland provide a lifeline to vulnerable people and those affected by food poverty; day centres, after school clubs, older people’s centres, community cafes and food banks. By receiving food from FareShare, these organisations are better able to provide nutritious meals alongside essential support.

For example, FareShare is working with Longhaugh Primary School in Dundee. The school runs a breakfast club and after school teatime club providing support to families and children in the area. FareShare provides fresh food for meals and store cupboard food parcels to take home. The clubs provide support for learning and pastoral care together with food relief to families who need it.