Website launched to combat food poverty in Shropshire

The Shropshire Larder website brings together local information on how to eat well on a budget, how to access money advice, and the location of foodbanks and other community food projects around the county.

Research carried out by Sheffield Hallam University suggests that up to 27,000 families in Shropshire will be affected by the welfare reforms.

Food banks across the county are reporting an increase in the numbers of people seeking assistance with food.

It has been set up by the Shropshire Food Poverty Alliance, a group of organisations including Citizens Advice Shropshire, Shropshire Council, Age UK, Shropshire Food Banks and Shrewsbury Food Hub.

Lee Chapman, chairman of Shropshire Health and Wellbeing Board said: "The Shropshire Larder website is an excellent initiative and a highly valuable resource for people experiencing food crisis. We are pleased to support the work of the Food Poverty Alliance through ‘Healthy Lives’ which is the prevention programme of the Health and Wellbeing Board. I would encourage anyone to take a look at the website and share with their communities.”

Shropshire Larder brings together information for people who find themselves in a food crisis, including how to get a food bank referral and the location and opening times of food banks across the county.

Jackie Jeffrey, CEO of Citizens Advice Shropshire said: “Last year we saw a 22 per cent increase in clients needing food bank vouchers, so we know that more people are finding themselves in financial difficulty and unable to afford food. The good news is there is help available across the county for people who are struggling and the new Shropshire Larder website is a great place to find out what is local to you."

If anyone would like to add information to the Shropshire Larder, they should contact Shropshire Food Poverty Alliance.

For more information visit shropshirelarder.org.uk