Thank you to the volunteers and supporters of Fair Frome and other foodbanks, but we must never get used to this:

Recently I paid a visit to the local charity Fair Frome, where I met some of their dedicated volunteers. They told me about the amazing work they do to alleviate poverty in Frome through the food and furniture banks. During the summer holiday period they distributed hundreds of emergency food parcels to families whose children would otherwise go hungry because of ‘holiday hunger’. This is because during term time, these children are entitled to free school meals, a service that is not available during school holidays. I was also told that the wonderful Harvest festival food collections in churches and schools have replenished stocks but that there is a constant need for volunteers, financial support and food donations to support people on low incomes who are struggling to feed themselves and their families. I am asking everyone to consider if you can help this amazing charity, if you do not already. If you can, please see www.fairfrome.org to find out what help they need. Please donate food at their collection points and look out for the special appeals for particular foods and other goods in the press.

Elsewhere, the Trussell Trust now operates over 420 foodbanks in the UK (see here). Last year the Trust gave over 1.3 million emergency food supplies to people in crisis. But what have we come to? We used to only send emergency food parcels overseas. Now despite being one of the wealthiest countries in the world with near full employment and a growing economy, foodbanks are the ‘new normal’. Personally, I find this unacceptable. Research by the Trussell Trust points to low income, and benefit delays and changes, as the primary reasons for people needing to use a foodbank. Leaked documents have shown the Government is only now starting to investigate the link between Government policies, including the Universal Credit rollout, and the increase in food bank use. We need a Government that cares and works to ensure everyone has a secure living wage. We need a Government that supports people instead of throwing them into poverty.

Adam Boyden, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Somerton & Frome (Liberal Democrat) and Mendip District Councillor for Frome College ward