Local charity serves up surplus Tesco food to help vulnerable people in Swindon

Vulnerable people in Swindon are receiving free nutritious food from local Tesco stores thanks to local charity the Vulnerable Assistance Network.

The Vulnerable Assistance Network provides free surplus food from the supermarket to people in local communities - with the food helping to ensure that families do not go hungry.

Volunteers at the charity receive in-date food from Tesco, then work to make it available to families free of charge, ensuring that they have fresh and nutritious food.

The Swindon charity receives most of its food in donations from the supermarket as part of the Community Food Connection surplus food scheme, which involves local Tesco stores and food surplus redistribution charity FareShare.

Vulnerable Assistance Network began life as the brainchild of kind-hearted sisters Debbie Deacon and Nicki Pearce, who said they were inspired to start the charity after seeing many people’s livelihood affected by the pandemic.

They have since set up a network of collectors, who pick up surplus food and distribute it among the communities they live in, especially reaching people who cannot get to a food bank.

The charity also supports nurseries to assist with food for breakfast clubs, after-school clubs, and a pantry to provide food for parents.

Debbie said: “We are very grateful to Tesco for this food. It helps us distribute to as many people as we possibly can. Our volunteers work really hard.

“During the pandemic, so many people were affected, regardless of how well off they were. We don’t discriminate. If people need food, we will provide it for them.”

In addition to the team of volunteers, Debbie and Nicki are helping young people earn their Duke of Edinburgh's Award Silver Scheme by encouraging them to give a hand at the charity.

Nicki added: “Young people are the future of charitable organisations, and without charities the country would come to a stop, so we’re glad to be able to show young people the benefits of volunteering for good causes for themselves and for their communities.

“We’re also embracing modern technology to reach people in their communities. We have set up many WhatsApp groups, with one having 400 people in it, so that no-one needs to miss out.”

The Community Food Connection scheme ensures that surplus food from Tesco is given to charities and community groups, whose volunteer members then distribute it to the public. Across the UK it redistributes 2 million meals each month.

Claire De Silva, Tesco Head of Community, said: “Working with community groups such as Vulnerable Assistance Network to help them get the food they need is such an important service for us to be able to provide. The dedication they have to their community is amazing, and we are pleased to do what we can to support.

“We firmly believe no good food should go to waste, which is why we began our Community Food Connection scheme. It enables us to ensure our surplus food is put to good use in communities.”

FareShare is the UK’s biggest charity fighting hunger and food waste. Two-thirds of the organisations it provides food to, support children and families.

Lindsay Boswell, FareShare Chief Executive, said: “The food that Tesco redistributes through FareShare makes a huge difference to people facing food insecurity across the UK.

“We work with thousands of charities and community groups providing essential support to their communities, and receiving a steady stream of food helps them to feed the people who need it most.”

Charities and community groups that could benefit from the support of the Community Food Connection scheme can find further information at https://fareshare.org.uk/getting-food/