Honiton food hub helping to feed the community

A partnership between East Devon District Council and Fareshare South West was set up in September 2018; providing food for members of the local community who are struggling.

Since September 2019, East Devon District Council (EDDC) Community Development Worker Victoria Robinson has been working with Shelley Wright of Fareshare to increase the number of people supported across the district by setting up a food hub in Honiton which community groups can collect food from to distribute to their networks.

The District Council have funded TRIP (Honiton community transport) to collect food from Bristol with the first delivery of food having arrived on 18 June.

Honiton Community College have joined this partnership and take food to add to food parcels for their pupils who qualify for free school meals.

An EDDC tenant and founder of Open Arms (mental health charity based at Dunning Court) Garry Wakeham is using the food to support people who would normally come to his sessions, the Honiton Homeless shelter and some of our supported tenants.

The food we have collected and distributed to over 100 households, will allow us to continue to support tenant families through the recovery phase and school summer holidays when we realise that they may still be feeling the effects of lockdown and the difficulties it has created.

Cllr Megan Armstrong, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Homes and Communities said: "During this time of uncertainty and worry for everyone, especially those people who may be suffering financial hardship, it is great to know that initiatives such as this are enabling both families and individuals to cope a little easier by providing some basic food essentials.

"This is a wonderful example of partnership working between the district council, local community groups and national bodies which could be a template for further similar initiatives in East Devon.

"Well done to all concerned!"