More grants available to help tackle food poverty

The grants are available to boost community food initiatives that support people in the city facing food poverty during the cost of living crisis.

Funded by the Welsh Government and administered by Swansea Council, 48 different organisations were successful in applying for support in the summer and say it made a huge difference to the number of families and individuals they were able to help.

A further £160,903 is available now for capital and revenue funding.

Organisations have until Wednesday February 14 to apply and can do so by visiting: https://www.swansea.gov.uk/directfoodsupportfund

Projects can include social supermarkets, community cafes, lunch clubs, community cookery classes and food banks.

Revenue funding could be for a range of uses from buying good quality food and essential goods to providing specialist support for initiatives such as outreach work, training for volunteers and the development of community hubs which can also accommodate a range of support services. The revenue grants can also support overhead costs and volunteer expenses.

Capital grants could be used for purchasing fridges, freezers and cooking equipment, improving storage or buying equipment to support local food growing and distribution.

Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Well-being, Alyson Anthony, said: "There are many people and families in Swansea facing genuine hardship but thankfully we have some wonderful charities, groups and organisations who work flat out to help ensure people have food on the table.

"I know their services are facing demand like never before so I am very grateful to our colleagues in Welsh Government for finding the funding for these grants.

"We are particularly keen to hear from groups and organisations with projects that focus on activities that help to address the root causes of food poverty and food insecurity.

"I would urge groups that may be eligible to a share of this funding to apply and if they are unsure or have any questions they are more than welcome to contact our team in Tackling Poverty who will help and talk them through the process."

Among those to benefit from the funding in the summer was Faith in Families and its projects included community cookery classes at the Clase Community Cwtch.

You can read more about that here.

Due to the high volume of interest expected it is suggest applications are limited for up to £1,500 revenue and £2,000 capital funding. 

Any group wishing to discuss an application before submitting it can contact the Tackling Poverty Service email: tacklingpoverty@swansea.gov.uk