Family Food Action (FFA) is marking five years of community action to tackle food poverty in children and families in north and central Bristol.
Although five years of food poverty is nothing to celebrate, the dedication of the FFA supporters certainly is, and they gathered on July 12 at the Ardagh Food and Craft Market to showcase the achievements of the charity and to encourage more residents to support it, so that it can continue to help feed children and families in food poverty in the communities that neighbour our own.
Food poverty is growing and even in Bristol, one of the most successful cities in the country, there are increasing numbers of children and families who need help to access healthy food. Children who go to school without breakfast, and whose families cannot afford healthy food, struggle to learn which will directly affect their futures. By targeting families, schools and play session organisers, FFA can reach large numbers of children in greatest need. Its focus is on healthy food, especially the fresh fruit and vegetables which are often missing in their lives, as well as culturally appropriate items.
Alison Bromilow,vice chair of FFA, said of the event: “It was a blisteringly hot day at the Ardagh and the Craft and Food Fair visitor numbers were down, but everyone who came along had a great time and lots of people dropped by to support FFA. We made over £650 and raised the profile of FFA and the need for support for many local families struggling to put food on the table.”
Each week, FFA collects donated food and toiletries through neighbourhood volunteers. After collection, donations are taken to the sorting hub for allocation to community partners in north and central Bristol, who work directly with families and children in poverty in their areas. FFA also receives food donations from growing organisations such as allotments and community gardens, as well as collecting financial donations which are used to source bulk fresh produce, fruit, vegetables, eggs and dairy products.