"The food industry is responding to these difficult times with creativity, support and strength. We hope you will find these resources and links helpful."
Mecca Ibrahim
In these unprecedented times and in times of crisis it is normal to feel overwhelmed, helpless and fearful. The food industry is responding to these difficult times with creativity, support and strength. Women In the Food Industry have collated some few links to resources that you may find useful & will update where they can.
Jobs Board
The Caterer are collating job opportunities for those who may be out of work. You will find full time and part time opportunities from retailers, care groups, charities and more who are looking to respond to additional pressures created by coronavirus.
Shopping
Niamh Shields from EatLikeAGirl has put together a list of independent food producers and shops around the UK who are delivering food, she said “Many of these are farms that sell direct to the consumer or online shops. Some supplied the restaurant trade but with social distancing and most of us staying at home, they are now selling direct to the consumer. ” She will be updating this list, so please get in touch if you should be on the list or know of producers you can buy direct from.
Emelia Leese also has an extensive list of UK vegan food producers with details on whether they do home delivery.
Government Support for Businesses
The Chancellor has set out a package of temporary measures to support public services, people and businesses through the disruption caused by COVID-19 including
- a Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- deferring VAT and Income Tax payments
- a Statutory Sick Pay relief package for SMEs
- a 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England
- small business grant funding of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief
- grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
This page is regularly updated and it is also worth watching the daily coronavirus press briefing from the government which often includes statements from industry figures such as Helen Dickinson Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium.
Food Redistribution
City Harvest, a surplus food redistribution charity, is currently working overtime to deliver food to over 300 charity partners across London and they desperately need food, funding and volunteer support. They serve thousands of vulnerable Londoners, and since the outbreak of COVID-19 have seen the need for our services skyrocket. Find out how you can support them with donations or by volunteering your time.
Olio connect neighbours with each other across the UK and Food Waste Hero volunteers with local businesses, to share food (and other things) rather than chuck them away. Here are their COVID-19 guidelines to facilitate safe handovers.
Leading budget recipe food writer and activist Jack Monroe has set up a GoFundMe page to support The Trussell Trust’s work during the coronavirus pandemic. In conjunction with local communities, the charity develops and runs sustainable projects in the UK tackling poverty and exclusion. Through the UK Foodbank Network and Community Enterprises they work with marginalised people in real need, providing practical care and support.
Hospitality Action Grant
Industry charity Hosptality Action coordinated an industry-wide emergency appeal to support those hospitality workers impacted by widespread job losses, reduced hours, pay and even closures due to the Coronavirus. If you work in hospitality & need assistance at these troubling times their #COVID-19 Grant will be open for applications at 9am on 23rd March 2020.
BBC The Food Programme
Radio 4’s The Food Programme have spoken to a number of industry experts including The Grocer, road haulage companies and analysed the Governments daily updates to help answer concerns about the food supply chain and panic buying during the COVID-19 crisis.
Visit Women in the Food Industry for the full and latest feature on Resources for the Food Industry During COVID-19
