Food sharing group seeks extra cash for storage

A Newtown food sharing group are seeking urgent town council support to help with storage.

Newtown Food Surplus, a not-for-profit company, says its mission is to reduce food waste and address food poverty in the area.

Town councillors will today (Monday) consider a request from the group to help fund a 1,200 litre commercial freezer to create additional storage space.

It is asking the town council to provide £1,000 through the town council's Community Grant to support the near £2,000 purchase.

In an application report, it said: "Despite our achievements, we face significant challenges that require funding. Our limited storage capacity restricts our ability to retain stock for exceptional needs and work flexibly with partners for efficient distribution.

"We urgently require funding to enhance our storage capabilities and sustain our operations.
Specifically, we need to purchase a 1200-litre commercial double-door freezer. If our
application for a £1,000 is successful, it would significantly help us make this crucial
purchase.

"This would significantly increase our storage efficiency and food processing capacity, ensuring we can effectively manage food supply fluctuations and sustain our operations. This funding is crucial for upgrading our storage infrastructure, allowing us to safely store and redistribute a larger volume of perishable food items."

The group said it planned to expand its service to provide additional support for people in the area.

The report added" "Immediate funding is crucial to enhance our capabilities, manage fluctuations in food supply and better serve our community. This support will bridge the gap as we secure further
financial backing.

"We are at a pivotal moment where additional resources will enable us to
expand our impact significantly. Your support now will be instrumental in our continued
growth and will enable us to continue making a significant impact on our community ensuring
that no good food goes to waste, providing consistent and reliable food assistance to our
growing number of beneficiaries while promoting sustainability."

The town council's Resources Committee will consider the application at its meeting today.