Foodbanks braced for huge winter demand - and trial new Deliveroo service

Food banks in the Trussell Trust network have revealed they expect to distribute more than 1.3 million emergency food parcels over the next six months.

The stats lay bare the impact of the cost of living crisis on UK households, heading into the winter.

It's already been an incredibly busy time for foodbanks, with a 46% increase in demand for their services in August and September this year compared to the same period last year.

Today the Trussell Trust is launching details of a new partnership with Deliveroo which will see items collected from people's doorsteps in five UK cities, to make it more convenient for people to donate.

Families face difficulties affording food

The news comes as its revealed the cost of groceries has risen by 14.7% in the last year, with experts warning it could rise further.

Sales of the cheapest value ranges grew by 42% over the latest four week period, as people look to manage their budgets, according to the group Kantar.

Meanwhile, millions of people on low incomes will start receiving £324 into their bank accounts from Tuesday to help them through the cost of living crisis.

The payments are the second part of £650 being paid out to people receiving benefits.

You can find out what support is available to you on the government website

"No one should need to use a foodbank"

Director of Network Programmes and Innovation at the Trussell Trust Danni Malone told us: "We actually saw in August and September, a 46% increase in need, compared to previous years.

"Unfortunately while donations are continuing, they're not rising at the same level, so that's the gap that we're really calling for support with.

"The amazing thing is that foodbanks and their volunteers are there but we believe no one should need to use a foodbank because everyone should have enough money to afford essentials."

Danni told us a story about a food bank user who had to turn to support after experiencing a difficult time in her life.

Food in demand at food banks

The Trussell Trust ensures that all of their food parcels contain at least three days worth of nutritionally balanced meals. The partnership is encouraging people to donate the following items, where possible:

• Tinned fruit
• Tinned meat / fish
• UHT milk
• Tinned tomatoes / pasta sauce
• Sponge or rice puddings
• Long-life juice

Food banks now on Deliveroo

The Trussell Trust is teaming up with Deliveroo to launch a new ‘Collecteroo’ initiative which will collect unopened and in-date food items from people’s homes and deliver them directly to the Trussell Trust’s network of over 1,300 food banks.

Mobile ‘Collecteroo’ vans will be operating to supply foodbanks across five UK cities: London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, and Cardiff between the 12th and 17th of December.

Hear the latest news on Downtown on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.