Charities receive kilos of donated food

A charity that supports adults with mental health problems has received a much needed food donation.

303kg of unsold food from the festival Derbyshire Sausage and Cider Music Festival and Country Show has been donated to the town’s Bank House - South Derbyshire Mental Health Association, Alexandra Road, Swadlincote.

Food that would have otherwise been destined for the bin at the end of the festival included cooked hog roast meat and bread from Church Gresley based hog roast specialists Silverwings Grill, trays of cupcakes from Church Gresley based Ruth's Absolutely Scrumptious Cake Co. and a variety of fresh vegetables, fresh pasta and sauces, frozen chips, bread and wraps from other generous traders.

All of the food donated was collected and checked at the festival site by South Derbyshire District Council’s Environmental Health team before the team safely transferred nearly one-third of a tonne of food to Bank House. As there was so much short life food, some was also passed on to other local charitable organisations and OLIO to prevent it from being wasted.

Jon Shillabeer, Manager of the Bank House charity said:

“We are very thankful to the traders and businesses that have helped to donate the food to those that are in need. It’s been a brilliant boost for the charity.

“'It has helped to feed around 50 people. Out of those, 12 were homeless and sofa surfing.

“We are really appreciative to the Environmental Health team that helped to organise the donation, without their input all of that food would have just been wasted.”

Vulnerable groups that have benefitted from the donated dishes include the homeless, low-income families, elderly residents and people with learning difficulties.

Cllr Martyn Ford, Leader of South Derbyshire District Council, said:

“People tell us it is a lifeline for them. We are pleased to have helped donate food that would have otherwise gone to waste.

“The initiative is part of our Environmental Health team’s mission to help combat food waste. We are also encouraging people to donate their surplus food to the community fridge in Swadlincote or offer it to OLIO – the food sharing app.”

All donated food passed environmental health checks and came with food safety information before being distributed.

Contact the Environmental Team for more information about preventing food waste at events: 01283 228780

6 July 2018