Councillors have announced their plans to open five more food larders in Milton Keynes to help tackle food waste.
Food larders are available to all members of the community who pay a small fee to purchase surplus food that would otherwise be going to waste.
The food on offer varies each week, but it usually consists of pantry goods and some fresh fruit and vegetables.
The products are sent from producers, manufacturers and suppliers, including supermarkets, when they have ordered too much.
There are currently food larders in Wolverton, Shenley Brook End, Downs Barn and Bletchley.
And the Labour-Lib Dem coalition which runs Milton Keynes Council believes that these larders are a highly-valued part of the community, so much so that they want to open five more.
The group, which have called themselves The Progressive Alliance, are currently working with SOFEA (South Oxfordshire Food and Education Alliance) to make this possible.
These food larders, aside from preventing food waste, also provide families with a more cost-effective way to buy food.
Councillor Jane Carr, Liberal Democrat Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequalities and Child Poverty, said: “A key pillar of the Progressive Alliance is tackling child poverty, because every child deserves a good start in life; these larders will be invaluable in helping that become a reality.”
Local councillor Marie Bradburn added: “There isn’t a one-size fits all approach when it comes to tackling poverty and food poverty, which is why it’s so important we have places like community larders alongside food banks. They each offer different things, but are as equally as valuable and important.”
