Peterborough Food Club Requires £20,000 Annually to Avoid Closure

A service that offers families a weekly grocery shop for only £4.50 has announced it faces potential closure. The Peterborough Food Club, operated by the Family Action charity, stated that it requires £20,000 annually to continue operations following the withdrawal of a donor. Individuals utilizing the club, which provides members with a week’s worth of fruit, vegetables, and various other groceries, have characterized it as a “big help”. Family Action declared that it delivers a vital service to residents of Peterborough and is in “desperate need” of assistance to maintain its activities. Approximately 100 members are part of the Peterborough Food Club, comprising an estimated 400 individuals residing in the Dogsthorpe and Welland vicinities. Members pay an annual fee of £1 to enroll, and each week they can collect a food box valued at £15 for a significantly reduced cost. A substantial portion of the food is either approaching its sell-by date or sourced from a local farmer, yet it consistently remains fresh and safe for consumption. Sally Grieff, the service manager for Peterborough Food Club, commented that the service signifies “everything” to the local population, encompassing some of the city’s most underprivileged districts. “People tell us they couldn’t live without it,” she stated. “It’s not just about the food but it’s also about the support and advice that we give.” Mrs. Grieff expressed that she was “very worried” regarding the club’s future, further stating: “We’re looking at £20,000 to keep it going.” Christina and Lee Lavery utilize the service each Friday, having initially learned about it over the summer period. “The first time we were nervous and we thought they’ll look at us and think, ‘Well you don’t need feeding’, basically,” Mrs. Lavery commented. “But honestly these ladies are absolute treasures.” Mr. Lavery indicated that the service offered a “big help” because they had previously discovered it was significantly more economical to purchase unhealthy items from supermarkets instead of fruit and vegetables. “Food prices have gone right through the roof, it’s horrendous,” he remarked. Mrs. Lavery further stated: “The more rubbish food you eat, the unhealthier you’re going to be, so it’s going to be a drain on the NHS.” Food clubs generally operate with minor distinctions from food banks, given that their users contribute a modest fee for their groceries and typically join through a membership system. The Cambridge City Foodbank has established three food clubs over the last two years, targeting families who frequently relied on its food banks and faced the risk of what they labeled “chronic poverty”. Stephen Thornton, the chairman, commented: “The aim of the food club is to provide more than just food but money advice, a warm welcome, and the opportunity to engage in other local community activities.” He mentioned that the £5-per-week service is accessible via referral, but noted there was “no shortage” of individuals in Cambridge encountering financial hardship. “What we provide is warm, friendly, without any sense of shame and people keep their dignity,” Mr. Thornton stated. A government spokesperson declared that widespread reliance on services like food banks is “unacceptable,” further stating that assistance for families had recently been prolonged via its Household Support Fund until March 2025. The spokesperson added: “Alongside this, our 10-year health plan will shift the focus from treatment to prevention.” For updates on Peterborough news, follow BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.