Simple Foods, the healthy frozen food delivery service recently donated a large amount of their amazing 'ready to heat and eat' food items to us.
It was great to meet with the dynamic and generous founders of this socially-conscious business, Alessandra and Renata who are very passionate about the environment. They believe that frozen food is good for you and the environment! Because 'longer shelf life products help decrease food waste, and statistics show that every year nearly 6 million tons of food from households end up in landfills in the UK! When frozen on harvest day, specific fruits and veggies can retain from 50% more antioxidants and 200% more vit C (and others!) than if fresh - consumed only 3 days later'.
This fits well with the philosophy behind Refuge Network's Food Programme which revolves around fighting hunger, preventing food waste, and saving the environment. Their kind gift of various meals included Caramelised Carrots and Pine Nuts, Charred Mediterranean Vegetables, Chicken and Butter Bean Soup, Mixed Quinoa with Cavolo Nero, Tamari and Ginger Greens, and other yummies.
Refuge Network UK is actively involved in the fight against food poverty and this donation will further strengthen our capacity to do that. No one can survive or thrive without food, it is a basic human need. The right to adequate food is guaranteed in international law. Distressingly, over 8 million people in the UK are living in food poverty and struggling to eat. The socioeconomic impact of the pandemic has exacerbated the situation, with thousands of people set to lose their jobs, homes, and businesses. In addition to the masses of suffering homeless people on the streets, many people on low or no income are struggling to eat or take care of basic needs. Our Soup kitchen and outreach programmes are targeted at these highly vulnerable members of our community.
Our service users are grateful for this donation.