A Manchester not for profit is sending out waste food from cancelled events to those at high-risk from the coronavirus.
Open Kitchen MCR works with food businesses to source food that will otherwise go to waste and use it to provide meals to a range of people.
“Under normal circumstances, we operate a waste food catering service to generate income (and stamp out food waste), and this subsidises our work supporting vulnerable people with hot nutritious meals, food and supplies,” said Open Kitchen MCR director Corin Bell in a blogpost.
“We’re starting to be contacted by people who are going to struggle to keep themselves fed during the coronavirus social distancing protocols. The first people affected seem to be those who are currently well, but at high risk due to existing health concerns, and therefore having to self-isolate.
“As the measures take hold, we imagine there will be a huge number of people affected, including children who would normally receive a free school meal, people in food poverty who would normally visit a food bank or community centre for support, and people who become ill and have a limited network of support around them.
“Donations to food banks are currently down as people who would usually support start to feel the strain. But food waste is currently massively on the rise as events are cancelled and businesses and education institutions shut down.
“So, we’ve decided not to wait. We will absolutely continue to coordinate with the Greater Manchester wide effort to respond to people in crisis in a joined up, coordinated way, but as of this morning we’ve got a lot of food, no catering orders, and lots of people who are going to need our help in the coming weeks and months.
“We are starting to prepare good “home-cooked” meals, and to portion them out into microwaveable containers. We plan to make and deliver a mix of meals and groceries to people who are struggling.”
M&IT editor Paul Harvey is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience. He began his career in the local press, working for various titles across the north. Since joining M&IT in 2013, he has become a trusted and respected voice in the sector, championing event professionals and reporting on all aspects of the events industry for the brand.
