A refrigerated container has become a more critical part of our infrastructure as more and more supermarkets are now able to redistribute food surplus which is either fresh or frozen. The container will help us to safely store more food so we can respond fast and effectively to supplier calls as they come in. This is especially critical at peak times like Christmas when massive amounts of food is passed on to us. If we can hold this food in the container we could feed many more people, for a longer period of time, and waste very little. We support approximately 160 people per session, with 3 sessions a week at Lostock, and we provide foods to groups in Blacon, Lache, Ellesmere Port and Winsford. So the food we store and source is passed to hundreds of people every week.

What we'll deliver:

• Storage of surplus foods from suppliers
• Distribution of foods to community groups
• Supporting our local community to reduce inequality

Why it's a great idea:

Around a third of the food produced globally is lost or wasted and it’s having a real impact on climate change. Our aims and the impact we want to see are simple, but not limited to: • Seeing a reduction of food poverty across Cheshire through food sourcing and distribution. • Reducing food waste by moving it quickly to groups who can pass it on. • To provide socially inclusive activity at our hubs • To Increase self-esteem and wellbeing of our local community through volunteering and training • Working with agencies to support residents back to employment and financial stability. We support 160 people per session, with 3 sessions a week at Lostock, and we provide foods to groups in Blacon, Lache, Ellesmere Port and Winsford. So the food we store and source is passed to hundreds of people every week.

Steps to get it done:

• Increase our storage capacity at the food hub
• Increase our volunteering at the food hub
• Increase the amount of food distributed across Cheshire West

We have an amazing group of volunteers who work tirelessly to support the food project. A better infrastructure will help them support more people which supports their reasons for volunteering. It will also reduce the pressure they feel when trying to keep food waste to a minimum as large quantities of food surplus arrives in.