Grants scheme opens to reduce food poverty and boost nutrition

20 Jan 2025

A grant scheme which will invest in activities to try to help people out of food poverty, improve health and nutrition and reduce food waste, has launched in West Suffolk.

The Building Resilience and Nutrition fund is open to applications from community groups, charities, voluntary organisations, faith groups and social enterprises.

It has been created from £90,000 given by Suffolk Public Sector Leaders and is being delivered by West Suffolk Council in partnership with Community Action Suffolk and Suffolk County Council.

Cllr Donna Higgins, Cabinet Member for Families and Communities at West Suffolk Council said: “We recognise how difficult it is for people in our communities who are struggling with the cost of food, to come forward for help.

“While we want to support people through whatever crisis they are experiencing, our ultimate goal is to try wherever possible to help them out of their situation. 

“That’s where the Building Resilience and Nutrition Fund comes in. We are looking to help fund food projects that are offering additional support such as those that work with people to look at improving their finances. Ultimately the aim would be to help people so they are less dependent or may be will no longer need any help with the cost of food.

“Resilience is also about empowering people and BRAN will look to support projects that give people increased confidence and skills – whether that’s growing some of their own food or to be able to make low-cost meals that will support their health and nutrition. 

“We also want to build on work already taking place in parts of West Suffolk to connect with local producers and food retailers to share food and reduce food waste.”

The grant scheme will also aim to ensure the resilience of food projects including supporting them in developing or expanding their existing offer and upskilling volunteers.

Cllr Philip Faircloth Mutton, Cabinet Member for Environment, Communities and Equality at Suffolk County Council, said: "Suffolk County Council is committed to supporting local initiatives that address food poverty, enhance nutrition, and reduce food waste. This fund will help strengthen community projects and build long-term resilience in our local areas."

Hannah Reid, chief executive of Community Action Suffolk, said: “The work voluntary sector organisations and community groups do to support local food provision is unfortunately still vital for so many people and families in our communities.  This funding will play an essential role in providing additional activities that are needed by many to support them as they move through and beyond very difficult situations with groups and organisations, they trust to support them. It’s an important initiative and one that showcases the wider benefit that voluntary sector and local authority partnerships can have to make a sustainable difference to individuals and families.”

BRAN has £90,000 in grants available.  Community Action Suffolk has organised a webinar for Thursday (23 January) at 12pm to talk to groups and organisations who are interested in finding out more and applying to the new grant scheme. Places for this can be booked on the Community Action Suffolk website.

Groups and organisations who cannot make this will be able to find out more or apply by contacting West Suffolk Community Food Partnership officer Elizabeth Evans from Community Action Suffolk at Elizabeth.evans@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk

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