Food banks in Cumbria are calling for donations as a growing number of families are unable to put food on their table.

The demand that FareShare Lancashire & Cumbria, which supplies food to 51 groups in Cumbria, is experiencing has surpassed the supply.

Despite successfully delivering 1.1 million meals across Cumbria by the end of 2023, they're struggling to keep up due to the increasing number of local charities seeking to provide support to people in need.

The Cumberland Building Society has also made significant contributions through its 'Kinder Kind of Kitchens' initiative.

Given the current scenario, the charity wants to inspire more regional businesses to donate produce to FareShare's Food Redistribution Centre, or to reroute any surplus stocks they may have to help feed thousands of people.

Naomi Winter, Community Food Members (CFM) coordinator for the charity, said: “It is hard to meet demand because it is ever-increasing.

“One of our aims is to reduce food waste, and as supermarkets work to do the same, they’ve got better at ordering the right volumes, which means they then have less surplus, which is the stock we survive on.

“At the same time, need within communities is increasing as more people struggle to make ends meet and turn to charities or community groups for help.

"Our other aim is to tackle food poverty though, so we continue to do our absolute best to meet each of our member groups’ needs.

“We’re grateful for any donation we receive, big or small – it will feed someone in need.”

FareShare Lancashire & Cumbria redistributed 460 tonnes of food between August and December last year — equivalent to 1.1 million meals and a 10 per cent increase from the same period in the preceding year.

“We have two vans going out every day making five deliveries of food,” said Ms Winter. “From February 21 we put another van on the road, making an extra 16 deliveries each month to Carlisle alone.”

The Cumberland's 'Kinder Kind of Kitchens' initiative, which donated £250,000 to the cause, is making the increased deliveries plausible.

This donation is enabling FareShare's regional centres to provide regular funding to all its CFMs, including school breakfast clubs and food banks.

The Cumberland donated another £18,278, permitting FareShare to equip their CFMs with fridges and freezers, an upgrade that enabled them to accept extra deliveries and store fresh and frozen food safely.

Ms Winter said: "Fresh food is so important to us.

"Just because you are struggling doesn’t mean you should be deprived of healthy food."

FareShare works by intervening in the food retail supply chain, rescuing surplus produce before its sell-by dates.

Without their interception, this food would end up in landfills or be incinerated.

Ali Elliott, Cumberland's assistant cluster manager, saw the difference the project makes when she volunteered at Wigton Food Pantry.

She said: “A couple of us volunteered every Wednesday morning during January and we love being involved.

"Whether we are serving coffee, unpacking food or chatting to people, it’s a real privilege to help in any way we can.”

In 2023, FareShare Lancashire & Cumbria delivered 1,000 tonnes of food, equivalent to 2.3 million meals across the two counties, along with non-food items like pet food and toiletries, assisted by 78 volunteers who generously offered their time for community service.

Donations of meat, fresh vegetables, and store cupboard staples such as cereals are desperately needed. If you can help, please contact Naomi on 0788 4510073 or email fareshare@recyclinglives.org