A new report from independent think tank the Food Foundation has found that UK veg box schemes are selling double the number of boxes weekly as a result of coronavirus.
Data gathered by the organisation, and by the Banc CSA Network UK and Better Food Traders, revealed an 111% increase in weekly veg box sales between the end of February and mid-April 2020, across the 101 schemes surveyed.
The study also found that many box schemes have adopted measures to support those most affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. 10% of schemes have introduced systems aimed at those experiencing economic hardship, such as cheaper boxes or options for other scheme members to subsidise those who are struggling.
65% of schemes, meanwhile, are prioritising key workers and the at-risk, in terms of orders and delivery and by moving these groups to the top of waiting lists.
While an estimated 3.5 million veg boxes have been supplied to UK households since the beginning of March, the report claims that more could be done with the right support from the Government.
According to the Food Foundation, 82% of boxes now have waiting lists – on average numbering 160 people – and are closed to new orders.
Box scheme businesses, the organisation says, are calling for small government grants to fund the staffing, infrastructure and equipment costs involved in a scale-up to meet demand.
Anna Taylor, executive director of the Food Foundation, said: “In a time of national crisis, fruit and veg producers running box schemes have provided a critical service to their customers and communities: we must ensure our agriculture policy, now and in the future, helps them get the investment they need as they play a vital role in supporting access to healthy produce as part of a sustainable food and farming system.”
Adam Payne, from the Landworkers’ Alliance and Southern Roots Growers, added: “Like many farms selling into local markets we have seen some of our wholesale markets collapse overnight and demand rocket for veg boxes and deliveries.
“To deal with this we have had to invest rapidly in additional infrastructure, labour and equipment without any security that this demand will stay. With all of these additional costs and disruption, increased demand doesn’t mean we will make anything this year.
“We need government grants for the essential infrastructure to make sure that we can transition our business, supply people who need produce, and remain afloat ourselves.”
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