Real Food for those in real need

The community-owned Real Food Store is asking the community to give generously to the Exeter Foodbank in the run up to Christmas.

The Store have partnered with the vInspired’s Team V programme to host a food donation day on the 26th November. Shoppers, suppliers and the community are invited to donate essentials to help create emergency food packages for those facing immediate hardship in Exeter.

3,981 people received a 3 day emergency supply package from Exeter’s Foodbank over the last year. But the vInspired campaign is also looking behind the numbers to raise awareness about why people need help.

Jenny Miller, organiser of the “Beyond a Tin Food”  campaign said: “Every year more and more people are relying on foodbanks.

"We might live in the sixth richest country in the world but food poverty is still a massive problem in the UK.

"Team v are stocking up local foodbanks but this alone isn't a long term solution. So we’re inviting people to donate food to the local Foodbank, and to find out more about what a food bank is and why there’s food poverty in Exeter.”

The Real Food Store is taking donations between 11am-3pm on Wednesday 26 November.

The Foodbank is in particular need of Uht milk 1L semi-skimmed, 1L long life fruit juice, tinned meat meals, pasta sauce, noodle/pasta snacks, tinned veg and fruit, cereal, 1kg sugar, 500g rice, tinned/packet soup, tinned tomatoes, tinned puddings. Exeter food bank currently has sufficient beans and pasta.

Natalie Ohlson, store Manager said: “We’re passionate about making good local food accessible to all and we’re pleased the Real Food Store can help in this small way.”

The Beyond a Tin website and campaign video can be seen here: https://vinspired.com/beyond-food