1,200 monthly meals to be provided to people struggling with food insecurity following Seeing is Believing visit to Newport

1,200 monthly meals to be provided to people struggling with food insecurity following Seeing is Believing visit to Newport

Business in the Community (BITC), The Prince’s Responsible Business Network, has collaborated with the Celtic Collection, Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations (GAVO), Newport City Council and Alway Community Centre to tackle food insecurity by providing 1,200 meals a month. The Collection Point will facilitate the monthly distribution of 1,200 frozen meals made fresh at the Celtic Manor Resort to people experiencing food insecurity and poverty in Newport, through GAVO’s Food Network of community organisations. 600 meals have already been received by the Collection Point and distributed by local community organisations. 

The Collection Point, was established to support people living in Newport, as analysis shows that two out of 10 households in the UK are experiencing food insecurity.[2] Research also shows that the rate of food insecurity is set to reach its highest level since 1999 by 2028, with 170,000 more children set to be living in relative poverty than in 2021.[3] 

The Collection Point is a direct result of a Seeing is Believing visit to Newport in June 2023. The Seeing is Believing visits bring C-suite leaders into communities to see first-hand the challenges people face and collaborate to create meaningful and impactful long-term solutions to address these issues. This work is part of BITC’s Place programme, working in nine places around the UK, including Newport. BITC’s work in Newport is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.[4] 

Ian Edwards, Chief Executive of Celtic Manor, said: 

“After attending a Seeing is Believing visit to Newport last year, I was inspired by the important work that community organisations are doing to support people who are struggling with the basic needs to get on in life. As a local business in the area, we understand the importance of working with organisations like BITC to help address some of the challenges impacting people living in Newport. We hope that this new programme will help reduce the number of people experiencing food insecurity and support those people who need it most.” 

Stephen Tiley, Chief Executive of GAVO, said:   

“At GAVO, we deeply feel our responsibility to stand by our local community. Witnessing the distressing rise in food insecurity across Newport and the UK is truly heart-wrenching and unacceptable. While the initiative may not be the ultimate solution, GAVO is proud to support this fantastic food partnership with the Celtic Manor, Business in the Community, Newport City Council, and the Alway Centre. Together, we’re taking a critical step toward ensuring that our communities receive much-needed support, allowing the people access to one of life’s most essential needs.” 

Cllr. Debbie Harvey, Newport City Council, said: 

“Newport is a city with a promising future, but many of its people unfortunately encounter barrier such as food insecurity that may affect their life outcomes. This initiative will no doubt help those experiencing difficulties accessing the basic necessities in life.” 

Adele Harries-Nicholas, Strategic Partnerships Manager, Newport at Business in the Community,said: 

“The Seeing is Believing visit to Newport last year highlighted the barriers that people in the city face. Off the back of the visit, action has been taken to tackle the barriers too many people face in our city. BITC works to transform lives and help communities thrive with the support of businesses, and this new initiative, supported by the Celtic Collection, is a much-needed support to help the people of Newport.” 

Haley Thomas, volunteer at the Helping Caring team, said: 

“Unfortunately, our organisation is seeing an increase in children who are going hungry, so these meals will make a huge difference to families in Newport.” 

ENDS 

Notes to editor 

  1. Photos available upon request. 
  2. Food Foundation: Families stuck in food insecurity are buying less fruit and veg as UK’s health divide widens | Food Foundation 
  3. Resolution Foundation: Living-Standards-Outlook-2023.pdf (resolutionfoundation.org) 
  4. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus 

For further information, please contact Polly Dacam, Press Officer, on 07713 101878.