New West Midlands food hub 'reflects King’s priorities', representative claims
A new hub aiming to help millions across the West Midlands is a ‘physical manfiestation of the King’s priorities’ in tackling poverty and food waste.
Sir Peter Rigby Coronation Food Hub in Gravelly Park, Birmingham, was launched on Monday (December 15) with the aim of delivering seven million meals to 30,000 people in the region.
It is funded by Midlands philanthropist Sir Peter Rigby who has donated £2 million and is one of 10 across the UK that King Charles called for to help stop food poverty and food waste.
It will be operated by food distribution charity Fareshare West Midlands.
Stark figures shows that, in Birmingham, 46 per cent of children live in poverty while the statistics elsewhere in the Black Country also make for worrying reading.
In Sandwell, there are 38 per cent of children in relative poverty, 36 per cent in Walsall and Wolverhampton and 30 per cent in Dudley.
At the hub, 500 unemployed young people annually will be given the chance to learn skills in warehousing, logistics, forklift driving and catering and hospitality through employability programmes run at the hub.
The Hub launch was attended by the King’s representative Lord Lieutenant of Midlands, Derrick Anderson.
He said: “This was the brain child of His Majesty. During the coronation, he made reference to being of service about 14 times and this particular project reflects his take on the types of service which each and every one of his citizens in the UK need or deserve.
“In terms of the situation with food insecurity, there is a need for organisations to respond to that challenge.
“Projects like this do many things. Yes, it is about alleviating poverty but also the level of food waste in the region.
“(Tackling) the issues of food insecurity in a way which also minimises food waste and as a result of that minimises landfill deposits also reflects His Majesty’s concerns for the environment.
“This is a physical manifestation of both the King’s priorities and his motivations.”
Sir Peter said: “I was deeply shocked and saddened to learn that nearly half of Birmingham’s children live in poverty, with many having very limited access to regular nutritious meals.
“My decision to support the new Coronation Food Hub reflects my commitment to ensuring that local families don’t go hungry.
“By working in collaboration with FareShare Midlands and local community groups, we aim to reduce food waste and address the root causes of poverty in our region.”
