The newest food hub run by The Bread and Butter Thing is to launch at St George’s Church in Hyde on Friday 24 June, with support from local primary schools.
One of the UK’s leading community food organisations, The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT) is continuing to work in partnership with Tameside Council and local voluntary organisations on the service. Together they to help tackle food insecurity while also reducing food waste by distributing quality surplus food at a heavily reduced price.
Following the success of its other food hubs in Tameside, TBBT is launching a new hub at St George’s Church in Hyde on June 24. Tameside Council continues to commission the charity to run the Tameside food hubs using external DEFRA funding to support those families most in need. This is the sixth hub in the borough alongside the existing sites in Haughton Green, Droylsden, Stalybridge, Hattersley and Ashton.
The hub is open for everyone in the community. For only £7.50 members receive approximately £35 worth of quality fresh food and store cupboard staples, including fresh fruit and veg. This means even on a tight budget, families can have access to nutritious, healthy food. TBBT’s service enables parents to feed their families healthily and improves diet diversity by providing foods they may not normally have access to. Families can use their NHS Healthy Start Vouchers and low cost period products are also available.
TBBT works with food businesses across the industry to assist them in redistributing surplus food. The food supplied to TBBT would otherwise be wasted. This partnership benefits the environment by reducing food waste and also has an increasingly positive impact in communities. TBBT supports other vital local work including providing experts in debt counselling, housing advice, grant applications and mental health support.
Tameside Council’s Director of Population Health, Debbie Watson, said: ‘’Another Bread and Butter Thing Hub opening in Tameside shows the scheme’s success and impact within our communities. The hubs continue to give everyone the opportunity to access affordable, fresh and healthy food for their families.
‘’The scheme also helps reduce food waste by distributing safe to eat surplus food, which has a positive impact the environment by reducing carbon emissions. A big thank you to lead community partner St George’s Primary school who were supported by Greenfield Academy and Endeavour Academy. Without their help we wouldn’t be able to reach families in the community which would benefit most from TBBT’s support. Also a thank you to the volunteers whose continuing contributions help to make TBBT a continuing success.’’
Mark Game, TBBT’s CEO added: “The financial challenges of the cost of living crisis are driving the pressing need for affordable food and we are seeing demand soar as people face difficult budgetary decisions between food and fuel. Working in conjunction with Tameside Borough Council and local partners allows us to spread our service even further and support more people who need it.
“Our members tell us that over 80% of them have previously had to skip meals to feed their families. By using TBBT, most save over £25 a week on their food budgets with the added benefits of better quality and a bigger variety of food. This leads to healthier lifestyles and puts money back in people’s pockets.”
St George’s Primary School in Hyde is the lead community partner supporting the opening of the new hub, supported by Greenfield Academy and Endeavour Academy. This partnership will help ensure parents are aware of TBBT hub which will take place every Friday in St George’s Church, situated next to St George’s Primary School.
Nicola Hewitt, Head Teacher of St George’s Primary School said:
‘’We are very excited to becoming partners of TBBT We are very aware of the increases in the cost of living and the impact on many of our families.
‘’We know these difficulties can sometimes lead to food insecurity and make it harder for parents to consistently provide sufficient food and nutrition to their children. The hub is a great way to recycle surplus food and to provide our families with nutritious food at a very low cost. It is also a fantastic opportunity for people to get involved in a community project which will help local people.’’
