Ending Food Poverty

The Trussell Trust support a nationwide network of food banks and together they provide emergency food and support to people locked in poverty, and campaign for change to end the need for food banks in the UK.

There are more than 1,200 food bank centres in their network, about two thirds of the food banks in the UK. They support these food banks to provide a minimum of three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food to people who have been referred in crisis (for instance by advice agencies, GPs, social services and schools), as well as support to help people resolve the crises they face.

More than 14 million people in the UK live below the poverty line. They understand that every person’s struggle with poverty is different and that it takes more than food to end hunger. So, they bring together the experiences of food banks in their network, and their communities, to challenge the structural issues that lock people in poverty, and campaign for change to end the need for food banks in the UK.

In the UK, of the more than 14 million people living in poverty 4.5 million are children. The Trussell Trust support more than 1,200 food bank centres in the UK to provide a minimum of three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food to people who have been referred in crisis, as well as support to help people resolve the crises they face.

Between April 2019 and March 2020, food banks in their network provided a record 1.9 million food supplies to people in crisis, an 18% increase on the previous year and during the coronavirus pandemic food banks have seen need rise even further.

The Trussell Trust know it takes more than food to end hunger. That is why they recently launched a five-year strategic plan. They acknowledge their goal to end the need for food banks is ambitious, but by working Together for Change, they believe it is achievable.

The Trussell Trust’s mission is to stop UK hunger and as a family-run business, Fresh Start Waste wanted to support the cause by taking on a challenge which will really make a difference to the lives of people in need, particularly given the recent £20 per week cut in Universal Credit, pushing many more UK families into food poverty.

Colin Harvey, Commercial Director at Fresh Start completed a gruelling 156.4-mile coast to coast solo bike ride to raise much needed £2188 in funds for the Trussell Trust. This is just the start of the fundraising we plan to take part in to further support this amazing charity.