Charity launches new city-wide approach to food support

Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance has launched a new city-wide approach to food support designed to give people greater dignity, choice and long-term support.

The charity’s new Membership Scheme will be rolled out across its network of 17 food partners, creating a more consistent way for people across Derby to access affordable food and wider support.

The launch supports the ambitions of the city’s Fairer Derby Strategy, which calls for organisations across Derby to work together to tackle the root causes of poverty through long-term, collaborative solutions.

With over one in three of Derby’s children living in relatively low-income households, Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance (DF4TA) said it recognises the need to reduce poverty.

Chief executive Paul Brookhouse said: “Food banks have provided an essential lifeline for thousands of people, and we’re incredibly proud of everything our volunteers, partners and supporters have achieved together.

“But if we’re serious about tackling poverty, we also need to think about what comes next.

“Our Membership Scheme is about creating a more sustainable model that gives people dignity, choice and access to wider support, while ensuring we can continue helping more families across Derby.”

Unlike a traditional food parcel model, members will be able to choose the food that best meets their household’s needs.

Members will make a small contribution towards the cost of their shopping, alongside the continued generosity of donors, funders, businesses and volunteers.

Together, this aims to create a more sustainable model that helps charitable resources go further while giving people greater choice and independence, enabling them to build resilience.

The new membership scheme was officially launched earlier this week at Building a Better Community Support Network for Derby, a stakeholder showcase, which brought together businesses, community organisations, faith communities, Derby City Council, health partners and volunteers to explore how the city can continue building a more joined-up approach to tackling food insecurity.

Guests were given the opportunity to visit DF4TA’s Thoughtful Shop in the Market Hall and tour the charity’s Resource Centre in Derby, where volunteers coordinate food distribution and reuse donated furniture and electrical items for local households.

Paul added: “No single organisation can solve poverty on its own. Building a better food support system for Derby will only happen if charities, businesses, public services and local communities continue working together.

“We hope the launch inspired even more organisations to become part of that journey.”