AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 2020// We have commenced deliveries to Stroud Food Bank, for distribution at their Friday sessions.

Please leave at allotment shed (either inside or on table outside) ahead of 11am MONDAY collections.

Jane Neighbour – with help from Ann – is starting FOOD BANK collections early this year and has kindly agreed to collect and deliver FOOD BANK donations every MONDAY morning – change of day due to COVID19. Any donations of excess fruit and vegetables (and bunches of herbs and flowers) are very welcome, the Food Bank is also able to take eggs plus home-made jams and preserves. Your donations are delivered directly to the Friday Food Bank sessions, to be distributed to anyone who has been referred to the charity.

Food Banks were set-up for a temporary solution several years ago, unfortunately the demand has actually grown rather than decreased. For most fresh fruit and vegetables is an everyday shopping basket item, but for those relying on Food Banks (even short term) being able to supplement their nutrition with fresh fruit and vegetables is a luxury. Your donations, however big or small are really valuable to those in need, and from the stories we hear are really appreciated.

Your donations and stories from previous year

Friday 7th October 2019. As well as generous donations of root vegetables, sweetcorns, tomatoes, apples and herbs we donated a beautiful and colourful posey that was particularly commented on. The flowers donated in the week previous had been very well received with a lady suffering from mental health (depression) being greatly appreciative of the flowers. It’s so important to hear these stories and gives everything we do such validation.

We would like you to know that your donations are so much more than simply excess food, they show the people who are suffering during a really stressful time, be that from mental health or just economic misfortune, that there are people who care enough to provide fresh produce. I can assure you that your donations are genuinely appreciated and anything you can spare goes to such a wonderful cause.

Friday 14th October 2019. Some more feedback from our donations this Friday, which included more apples, red cabbages, squash, herbs and another beautiful posey.

The volunteers at the Food Bank were able to share more stories of how the fresh produce is really appreciated, especially where these individuals and families have been living on dried and tinned food only.

Thank you to those that have been donating the herbs, something I wouldn’t have thought to donated. One story was of a chef who was delighted to see the herbs, being able to give that extra touch of flavour to basic food.

The flowers again have been massively appreciated and in fact the posey was shared between two people, with a gentleman to take back for his unwell wife, and another lady. It’s these small touches that mean as much as the food itself.

In terms of the actual food donations, the fresh vegetables and fruit have been really appreciated, especially to make wholesome food for families including stews and soups. One family living with only a slow cooker were delighted to be able to add the fresh vegetables, especially with teenage boys to feed. Lots of people have been happy to see the apples for eating and cooking.

I know a few of you have raised concerns that the ‘organic’ nature of the food would put people off. That is not the case at all, especially due to the exposure by various TV Chefs, most people understand that carrots and root vegetables aren’t always straight, and leaves get nibbled. In addition the volunteers at the food bank are also giving basic cooking lessons and showing people how to get the most from having fresh vegetables.

Also we must mention and give a big thank you to our own volunteers for delivering your generous donations each Friday directly to the Food Bank sessions.