2 Sisters manufacturer Fox’s Biscuits donated 5t of biscuits for redistribution to holiday hunger schemes supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds during the summer break.
Fellow 2 Sisters company the bakery Gunstones also donated 12,000 hot cross buns to the project.
The food donations have been sent to the Fit and Fed project, run by national charity StreetGames in partnership with FareShare. The initiative provides free sports sessions and nutritious lunches and snacks to children from deprived areas over the summer holidays.
FareShare’s commercial manager Rowan West-Henzell said: “Holiday hunger remains a real and pressing issue and we’re thrilled that companies like 2 Sisters are taking this issue as seriously as we are, by donating or diverting surplus food to the Fit and Fed project that was launched by His Royal Highness Prince Harry this summer.”
‘Over 1M children are at risk’
“FareShare has been supplying food to children’s breakfast and holiday clubs across the UK for a number of years now, as sadly over 1M children are at risk of going hungry during the school break.”
The children at risk of hunger, in some of the UK’s most deprived areas would normally receive a free school meal during term time.
StreetGames ceo Jane Ashworth said the support of 2 Sisters was vital in helping young people living in disadvantaged communities avoid holiday hunger and reclaim their summer.
“We need more companies as generous as 2 Sisters, willing to donate food and funding to help put a stop to holiday hunger across the UK,” said Ashworth.
There were currently 100 Fit and Fed projects nationwide, supporting 12,000 young people. But there was so much demand that number could easily double with additional funding and resources, she added.
Fox’s Biscuits’ donation
Fox’s Biscuits’ donation comprised 0.5M biscuits, which would stretch 31km or the equivalent height of 105 Eiffel Towers.
The firm’s md Colin Smith said: “I think it’s fantastic that we’re able to support this exciting initiative so children don’t go hungry, have the opportunity to come together and get to participate in a fun holiday activity.
“If you’re growing up in a low income family, the school holidays can be a difficult time. Regrettably, some of the UK’s poorer families struggle to afford food during the holidays and children are at risk of hunger, inactivity and isolation.”
Up to 3M children and young people are at risk of holiday hunger, according to a report published in April by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hunger, chaired by Frank Field, Labour MP for Birkenhead.
The charity plan aims to plug the potentially hungry holiday gap for the 1.7M UK children who quality for free school meals during term time.
Meanwhile, FareShare is the UK’s largest food redistribution charity, taking good-quality, in-date surplus food from the food and drink industry and redistributing it to charities and community groups that feed vulnerable people.
This summer, FareShare is supporting over 400 schemes providing food to children and families over the holidays, with 250 of these being through Fit and Fed.
Children’s food poverty – at a glance
- 1.7M UK children quality for free school meals during term time
- Up to 3M children and young people at risk of holiday hunger: All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hunger
- 100 Fit and Fed projects nationwide, supporting 12,000 young people