Gousto has announced its partnership with charity, The Trussell Trust’s Hammersmith and Fulham Foodbank, to deliver healthy food parcels to those struggling in the cost-of-living crisis.
The meal kit retailer is supporting the operation from the Hammersmith and Fulham Foodbank also working alongside the area’s local government in a bid to make food parcels healthier
As the cost-of-living crisis is increasingly seeing UK households looking to foodbanks, the initiative follows a YouGov study in May which found that more than half of Brits admit their health has worsened due to the crisis.
The partnership, funded by the local council and Gousto will see breakfast, lunch and dinner meal kits delivered by the foodbanks volunteers over a 12 week period, starting in the summer holidays to help feed families facing food poverty.
With current food parcels consisting of NHS approved foods such as tinned beans, soups and cereal, designed for an occasional crisis, the Hammersmith and Fulham Foodbank found up to a third of its visitors are returning for more food at least once a month.
Gousto’s vegetarian meal kits designed by its nutritionist, Ellie Bain will include at least two of the recommended five a day in fruit and vegetables as well as wholegrains, nuts, seeds, eggs and avocados.
Each meal kit requires less than 30 minutes to cook with recipes from over nine global cuisines including black bean chilli, three-veg miso and sesame ramen with egg.
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Also working to assess the mental, physical and social benefits of delivering its fresh and healthy meal kits, the research conducted by the council, supported by Imperial College London Self-care Research Unit is hoped to help inform the approach of emergency food providers across the UK.
“Everything we do at Gousto is driven by our purpose to have a positive impact on people and the planet,” Gousto CEO and founder, Timo Boldt said.
“Using our expertise in creating healthy and balanced mealtimes, we hope to have a real impact on the health of the nation starting with this groundbreaking pilot.”
Hammersmith and Fulham Foodbank CEO, Phil Storey said: “We don’t think it’s right that the food bank needs to exist. We want to ensure that people are able to access support which will help them afford the essentials in life.
“We know that providing emergency food is not the answer that will end the need for food banks, but we hope that this exciting pilot with Gousto will help inform our approach to improving the support we provide for people facing hardship.”
Hammersmith & Fulham council deputy leader, Cllr Ben Coleman added: “With more residents using food banks on a regular basis in this cost-of-living crisis, it is timely to research whether providing more nutritious food, as opposed to food for short-term emergencies, could strengthen people’s mental health.”
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