Council and catering suppliers team up for foodbank boost

A major food distribution company has joined forces with Moray Council to help ensure that local families do not go hungry.

Brakes Scotland is making regular donations to the Moray foodbank as part of a contract agreement with the council.

The company is one of the council’s main food suppliers and was awarded a new grocery contract earlier this year.

A community benefits element was included in the contract and Moray Council nominated the Moray foodbank – which now has registered charitable status - as beneficiary.

As part of the deal Brakes will donate goods to the foodbank every three months for the duration of the contract period.

The company’s channel head of public sector, Chris Boyle, said: “We are delighted to be donating to the Moray foodbank in Elgin to help those most in need.

“Recently we have donated to foodbanks in Fife and Coatbridge and the crowds of people approaching the foodbanks brought it home to us the sheer numbers of people who are going through the real pain and struggle every day to support their families.

“As a business, we are committed to donating to local foodbanks and hope that our regular contributions can make a real difference.”

Moray Council operational support officer Susan May said: “It is great that Brakes will be assisting those on low incomes to stretch it that little bit further.

“As part of the procurement process for the new grocery contract, carried out by Scotland Excel on behalf of councils, there was a community benefits clause and I wanted to use this in a way that would reach out to those most in need in Moray.

“Now we can be sure that by working with Brakes and the Moray foodbank we will be assisting families who are experiencing difficult times.”

Kathy Ross, of the Moray foodbank, said she was delighted that the council had nominated the foodbank.

“This recognition from both Moray Council and Brakes of the work we do and the numbers of people we are able to reach, while relying mainly on public donations and a volunteer workforce, is very much appreciated.”