In these challenging times, we are really proud of some of the work our partners are doing to help in the country’s fight against COVID-19.
In a fantastic example of this, one of our headline sponsors, foodservice wholesaler Bidfood, has joined forces with Brakes to support a new government initiative to ensure that vital food supplies reach the country’s most vulnerable people during the coronavirus crisis.
Starting this week, the initiative will see the two companies working together to deliver potentially hundreds of thousands of weekly care packages across the country to people at high risk from the virus who are not able to get easy access to food at this challenging time.
In a joint statement from Andrew Selley and Hugo Mahoney, CEOs of Bidfood and Brakes, the companies confirmed their involvement: “During this national crisis, Bidfood and Brakes, the UK’s largest wholesalers, have joined forces to deliver weekly food and essential supply boxes to many of the 1.5m extremely vulnerable people in isolation.
“Moving at record pace, we have worked with government departments to create a service capable of reaching every corner of England, through our national depot networks. Our security-checked, professional delivery drivers are hugely motivated and proud to be playing their part in serving their local communities in this fantastic endeavour.”
The food box delivery scheme for the extremely vulnerable has now also been rolled out by governments in Wales and Scotland. Those in high risk groups in Scotland and Wales are able to register for the deliveries through their local authority.
The government’s directive to temporarily close many foodservice outlets like pubs and restaurants means that both businesses are able to redirect some of their experienced teams to delivering care boxes across the country. Initial deliveries have already begun over the weekend.
The parcels, which will be delivered to the doorstep, will contain more than 20 essentials including pasta, cereal, tea bags, fresh and tinned fruit, milk, bread and biscuits, as well as non-food items like toilet rolls and shower gel.
Some 900,000 extremely vulnerable people have now received letters from the NHS giving them guidance on how to shield from coronavirus. In total up to 1.5m will be asked to be shielded in this way. Others who did not receive letters but think they are part of this clinically vulnerable group should contact their GP.