May 14, 2020
Over the past five weeks, Blakemore Foodservice has been helping 36 local authorities, charities and businesses across the country to feed thousands of people in need.
The company has been sourcing products for charities and businesses to donate to vulnerable people as well as supplying local authorities with goods for care packages following a government request for councils to deliver food supplies to residents in need during the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 1.8 million items have been sourced by Blakemore Foodservice especially, mostly from new suppliers. These items include essentials like pasta, cereal, tea bags, tinned fruit, tinned vegetables, milk, biscuits, soup and toilet rolls.
Blakemore Foodservice has also donated a few items free of charge to staff putting the packages together, including Easter eggs and drinks.
Blakemore Foodservice Trade Sector Manager Matt Johnson commented: “Before the coronavirus pandemic, Blakemore Foodservice was working with 16 local authorities up and down the country, predominantly servicing schools.
“Whilst this business has declined due to school closures, many local authorities have approached us for support in feeding vulnerable people in their area.
“This is important work to ensure that vital food supplies reach those most in need during the coronavirus crisis, and we are proud to be playing our part in serving our local communities.
“Colleagues from Blakemore Foodservice and the wider business have made great efforts to source 75 new lines that were – and in some cases still are – in short supply across the grocery industry.
"A huge amount of co-ordination has been involved – finding the products, setting up codes, liaising with customers and then sharing volume out fairly across authorities.”
The products from Blakemore Foodservice are being supplied to charities, businesses and food distribution hubs run by local councils and are then being distributed to good causes like foodbanks and residents in need. Those in high-risk groups are able to register for deliveries through their local authority.
Sustainable Food Partnership Co-ordinator Gavin Fletcher from Leicestershire County Council commented: “Many thanks for your help over the past few weeks – it has been invaluable in helping some of our vulnerable families to cope with Covid-19. Frontline staff have been really happy with your service.”
In the West Midlands alone, local councils supported include Wolverhampton, Walsall, Birmingham, Sandwell and Dudley.
Click on the following link to watch a video from Sandwell Council on YouTube showing the work going on at their emergency food hub to pack and deliver food boxes for vulnerable people:
Pictured above: The emergency food hub set up by Leicester City Council, which has spent over £250,000 with the business so far