General Information
Food Safety Training
Food aid projects need to mitigate risks in terms of health and safety. This means having key people trained to level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene in Catering as a minimum to ensure best practise in accepting donations, storing, packing and redistributing ambient, fresh, frozen foods, and cooked meals. Examples of affordable online training courses are Virtual College and these resources through the FSA.
Using shopping vouchers alongside or instead of food parcels
Bulk ordering:
Tesco, Aldi, Lidl and Asda do not accommodate online bulk orders but you can ask the individual store manager or talk with the customer service desk (Asda) to place a bulk order although this is left to the discretion of the store.
Volunteer help and support
We may be able to connect to support being offered by the British Red Cross in terms of volunteers and delivery. Please get in touch with Sabine at sabine@foodaidnetwork.org.uk
You could contact the Voluntary and Community Sector Emergencies Partnership (VCSEP) for support with transportation and delivery, volunteers, specialist training, guidance including funding advice, mental health and wellbeing support.
Insurance
The NVCO has listed Zurich as their trusted third sector insurance provider. Read Zurich's guide for charities or speak to an advisor directly: 0800 917 9508.
UK Government guidance suggests using an organisation that is a member of the British Insurance Brokers Association(BIBA) to insure your charity. Search for BIBA members here.
IFAN have compiled a list of some charitable hardship funds available to individuals across the UK.
Guidance on breast feeding, formula milk and baby food
Worthing Food Foundation: guidance on infant formula and baby food
UNICEF Supporting Families with Infants Under 12 months experiencing food insecurity A Guide for Local Authorities and Health Boards
Breastfeeding help and support resources (with thanks to Dr Helen Crawley of First Steps Nutrition)
Maternity Action Website
See our Nutritional Guidelines page for early years guidelines and recipe cards