Southampton Charities work together to hold a Food Census

(Saint Mary’s marketplace)

Following the cost-of-living summit, Southampton charities have set a date to capture a fuller picture of the food being distributed across the city to people in need. In the week beginning 5th December, food banks, soup runs, and community pantries will measure how many meals are served for a report being prepared by the Food Aid Network.

 Leading the network from Southampton City Mission, Duncan House said, ‘We’ve never co-ordinated how many meals are served in a week by the various charities. Some meals will be given out in food parcels while others will be hot meals served by charities and community groups across the city. This will be a first and hopefully a repeatable exercise so that we can keep abreast of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis. Southampton City Mission alone has seen a sharp upturn in demand at all our centres providing food and essentials.’ 

 The initiative draws together larger organisations like Southampton City Mission and the Big Difference with smaller groups serving their local communities. Speaking from the Big Difference, Dr Sanjay Mall said, ‘Last month, we collected 15 tonnes of surplus food from restaurants, supermarkets and wholesalers. We are trying to keep ahead of the demand for essentials as the cost-of-living crisis bites harder.’

 One parent accessing the local community pantry said, ‘‘I use the food marketplace as a top up as my weekly shop just wouldn’t cover all our essentials. We are a large family and since the rise in energy costs, things at home have been tight. We are really grateful.’

The food census has been prompted by the Love Southampton project, which has been funded by a grant programme, Faith New Deal, from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Speaking from Love Southampton, Paul Woodman, commented, ‘We are fortunate to have charities like Southampton City Mission and The Big Difference from Above Bar Church to harness the goodwill of businesses and community partners to meet the rising needs of people hit by rising living costs’.