Food aid charity feels the squeeze from rising fuel costs

Soaring fuel prices are adding fresh strain to the work of getting food to thousands of vulnerable people across Devon and Cornwall, warned the South West’s biggest food redistribution charity.

FareShare South West says demand for its food support has risen 45 percent since the Covid‑19 pandemic began, while the expense of collecting and delivering surplus food has climbed sharply. The charity, which supplies surplus food to around 70 organisations in the region, now faces the dual challenge of meeting growing need and coping with higher operating costs.

The charity, an independent organisation, rescues surplus food from producers, farmers, supermarkets and other businesses before it is wasted. Funding comes from a mix of government, corporate and independent sources. Recent jumps in wholesale oil prices have pushed fuel costs higher for charities, businesses and households alike.

Based in a distribution hub in Plymouth, the operation relies on about 80 volunteers and four paid staff who sort, organise and load tonnes of surplus food each week. Much of the stock, including fresh fruit, vegetables and dairy, is then sent to charities and community groups.

Hub manager Ryan Jackson said, “With petrol rising by 31 percent and diesel by 41 percent in the last six months, our costs have increased significantly and those are costs the charity has had to absorb.” He added that the number of charities seeking help from FareShare South West has also grown across the region.

Volunteer Jamie Henshaw explained, “Everybody’s feeling the pinch, but we love what we do. Volunteers aren’t paid, so this comes out of their own pockets. They’re giving their time and goodwill. There may come a point when some simply can’t afford to come to work.”

Jackson warned that prolonged high fuel prices could make it harder to recruit and retain volunteers, potentially threatening the charity’s ability to operate.

Despite the added financial pressure, FareShare South West says it remains committed to meeting rising demand. The charity plans to move to a larger hub in Plymouth later this year and to establish more food collection points throughout the region.

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Related topics: Cornwall, Devon, charities, fuel, cost of living.

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