Food aid charity under pressure from fuel costs

Soaring fuel prices are putting extra pressure on efforts to get food to thousands of people in need across Devon and Cornwall, the South West's largest food redistribution charity has warned.

FareShare South West said demand for food support had risen by 45% since the Covid-19 pandemic, while the cost of collecting and delivering surplus food had increased sharply.

The charity, which redistributes surplus food to about 70 organisations across the region, said it was facing the challenge of meeting growing demand while absorbing higher operating costs.

Bosses added they were also concerned about the impact on volunteers and staff, many of whom were paying more to travel to their shifts.

FareShare South West is an independent charity that obtains surplus food from food producers, farmers, supermarkets and other businesses before it goes to waste.

It relies on a mix of government, corporate and independent funding.

Recent increases in wholesale oil prices have contributed to higher fuel costs, making travelling and transporting goods more expensive for charities, businesses and households.

It operates from a distribution hub in Plymouth, where about 80 volunteers and four paid staff help sort, organise and load tonnes of surplus food each week.

Much of the food, including fresh fruit, vegetables and dairy products, is distributed to charities and community groups.

Hub manager Ryan Jackson said: "With petrol rising by 31% and diesel by 41% in the last six months, our costs have increased significantly and those are costs the charity has had to absorb.

"At the same time, the number of charities requesting support from FareShare South West has grown across the region."

The charity said the rising cost of fuel could also affect the people it relied on to keep the service running.

Volunteer Jamie Henshaw said: "Everybody's feeling the pinch, but we love what we do.

"Volunteers aren't paid, so this comes out of their own pockets. They're giving their time and goodwill.

"There may come a point when some simply can't afford to come to work."

Jackson said prolonged high fuel prices could create further challenges for the charity.

"If fuel prices stay high for a long period, it could affect our ability to recruit and retain volunteers," he said.

Despite the additional costs, FareShare South West said it remained committed to meeting growing demand.

The charity said it planned to move to a larger hub in Plymouth later this year and create more food collection points across the region.

Follow BBC Cornwall on X, external, Facebook, external and Instagram, external. Follow BBC Devon on X, external, Facebook, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk, external.