Defra food vulnerability update

Below is is this week's update on Defra's work on food for vulnerable people:

This week we are:

• Continuing the work of transitioning those receiving food boxes to alternative arrangements.
• Holding a Food Vulnerability Stakeholder Group Call, Thursday 2nd July, to provide a programme update.
• Continuing work to complete the arrangements for Local Authority Emergency Assistance Grants

Last week:

Non-Shielded Vulnerable

• We secured a number of supermarket delivery slots for the dedicated use of vulnerable people who are unable to access food and who have no other options available to them.
• We are working closely with local authorities and charities to help make sure these delivery slots are made available to those who need them most and have built a dedicated online platform to enable local authorities and a number of charities to directly refer individuals for access to the prioritised slots.
• We are training call centre staff this week for a dedicated line to be available w/c 29/06 to assist the local authorities administering the scheme.
• We are continually reviewing how we can best work with LAs to encourage referrals once the on-boarding has happened

Economically Vulnerable

• We are working at pace to agree the best approach to administering the Local Authority Emergency Assistance Grant including very light touch monitoring 
• FareShare, WRAP and front line Food Charities continue to use funding from Defra to provide food to those who need it most.