Mobile food hubs coming to South Kesteven

A community food organisation that helps people on low incomes eat varied and nutritious meals is set to establish five hubs across the District.

Founded in 2016, The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT) operates mobile affordable food clubs in nearly 100 locations across the UK. Its service improves local access to good quality, healthy and nutritious food.

South Kesteven District Council will be working in partnership with TBBT to deliver five hubs across the District. Two will be established in Grantham, and one each in Stamford, Bourne and The Deepings.

Just over £150,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will help to establish the hubs.

Cllr Rhea Rayside, Cabinet Member for People and Communities, said: “Sadly, many people across our District are struggling to make ends meet, but this is a great initiative that will make life a little easier for some.

“As a Council, we are proud to be supporting the work of TBBT and to be providing additional support for those residents who need it most.”

By working in partnership with supermarkets, factories and farms, TBBT redistributes surplus food that would otherwise go to waste.

The food is transported to the hubs where TBBT members can then access three bags of fruit and veg, chilled food and cupboard staples at discounted prices. It enables members to improve their diet whilst saving money.

TBBT extends the benefits of its hubs further by working with partners to provide expert advice and practical solutions in income maximisation, energy, digital exclusion and mental health support.

Mark Game, Chief Executive of TBBT, said: “We aim to unleash the power of affordable food and use it to ignite long-lasting change in struggling neighbourhoods.

”Our members tell us that over 80% of them have previously had to skip meals to feed their families. By using TBBT, most save £25 a week on their food budgets, money which they can then use for other household priorities. They also benefit from better quality and a bigger variety of food. Plus, we save tonnes of surplus edible food from going to waste.

“We are delighted to be working with SKDC to bring the benefits of our mobile food clubs to five new communities across the District.” SKDC has been allocated £3,898,582 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as part of the Government’s Levelling Up process.

The fund can support projects that build pride in place, improve the places where people live, and that support individuals and businesses to thrive.