Food network set-up to provide support in Salisbury

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.

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 an 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 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 said: "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 the support available. People should visit https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/worried-about-money.

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Foodie Network

Salisbury Foodbank

info@salisbury.foodbank.org.uk (opens new window) 01722 580173

The Foodbank believe that anyone in the community should not have to face going hungry. The charity provides three days of nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred in crisis, as well as signposting for support to other local organisations in Salisbury. The Foodbank is part of a nationwide network of food banks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

Foodbank parcels are usually only given to people who have received a voucher from one of our voucher holders. Voucher holders include GPs, schools,
Job Centre Plus and local charities, such as the Salisbury Trust for the Homeless and Alabaré. Once a resident receives a voucher, they can attend one of the local Foodbank centres and will be issued with a food parcel based on the number of people in the household. More information at https://salisbury.foodbank.org.uk/ (opens new window).

The Pantry

salisburypantry@salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk (opens new window)

Salisbury Pantry is a social supermarket, offering affordable and nutritious food to local residents. Membership is open to any residents from the Salisbury City Parish area who are struggling to pay bills. For a weekly membership of £5.00, members will be able to choose from a selection of food with the average value of £20-£25 to help top up a weekly shop.

A variety of food is stocked, including fresh fruit and vegetables, store cupboard favourites, bread and some fridge and freezer products, which can vary from week to week depending on availability. As well as a place to shop and choose food at a low cost, it is also a place where people can ask for advice and be signposted to other sources of support.

The Pantry Partnership

info@thepantrypartnership.org (opens new window) 01722 632455

The Pantry Partnership is a social enterprise working in and around Salisbury. Surplus food is rescued that would otherwise go to waste, making it into meals and delivered to those who need it in our community. They aim to fight food waste, tackle hunger and loneliness in Salisbury, whilst supporting the community with assisted volunteering opportunities.

Harnham Community Network

harnhamcommunity@gmail.com (opens new window) 07962 213494

Harnham Community Network is about helping foster the sense of community in Harnham from the Hub at the Parish Hall on Lower Street, as well as offering practical help. A Coffee and Chat session is hosted in the Hall and field every Saturday morning from 10 - 12 noon.

The Harvest Sharing Tables will start again over the summer on Saturdays from 16 July till the latter part of September. People are invited to bring along their surplus garden produce so others can take what they need. It means good food doesn't go to waste and it helps provide fresh nutritious food for free.

St Michaels Community Fridge

01722 328031

The Community Fridge at St Michael's Community Centre in Bemerton Heath is available to serve the needs of anybody who requires food. The food is free at the point of need as the fridge relies solely on donations from local supermarkets and organisations. The fridge is open every Monday to Friday 10am to 2.30pm. If they can, people are also welcome to support the Community Fridge,  by making a donation of any fresh vegetables, or food it may require.

ENCIRCLES

hello@encircles.org (opens new window)

ENCIRCLES is a registered charity established in April 2019 and the mission is through our volunteers alleviate homelessness, loneliness, isolation and poverty in Salisbury.

ENCIRCLES deliver food related programmes, including, The Evening Food Distribution programme at Salisbury Coach Park, Monday to Saturday at 7pm, providing the street homeless and anyone else in need, with hot food, sandwiches and pastries, and the preparation and distribution of a Sunday roast takeaway meal, and a supper bag full of sandwiches and cakes at Salisbury Coach Park at 1pm. All the food is donated to ENCIRCLES and it is run entirely by volunteers.

Local food charities and community organisations are here to support the local residents of Salisbury. Look out for the new food support leaflet available in many community venues across the city to provide further information, advice or support.