Trussell Trust, the UK anti-poverty charity which runs a network of over 420 foodbanks, has partnered with Seafish, the UK industry authority on seafood, to call for donations of tinned seafood to local foodbanks as part of Seafood Week 2016 (7 -14 October).
Tinned fish is essential for Trussell Trust foodbanks. It enables nutritionally balanced food parcels to be provided for people who experience a crisis, such as a sudden loss of earnings or an unexpected bill, which has left them struggling to eat. Seafish hopes the influx of canned fish to foodbanks will help to demonstrate its versatility and many health benefits, while helping to show how simple it can be to create a great tasting dish.
From October 7 to 14 people referred to Trussell Trust foodbanks in Edinburgh will also receive a recipe card for a balanced family meal, created by Seafish.
The number of people using foodbanks in the UK has risen to record highs. To help those in need, there are three ways residents in Edinburgh can offer their support to the Trussell Trust foodbanks in their local area.
Firstly, people in Edinburgh are being encouraged to donate tinned seafood, such as tuna and mackerel, alongside other non-perishable foods, to their local Tesco permanent collection points.
Another way to donate is through a dedicated funding page at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/seafood-week-trussell-trust. This page will be live throughout Seafood Week, and the weeks following, allowing people to donate the cost of a sandwich, lunch or whatever they can afford.
All of the donations will be used directly to tackle UK poverty. 90% will be used to purchase tinned seafood which will be distributed to Trussell Trust foodbanks, and 10% will be donated directly to the Trussell Trust to help them stop UK hunger.
A third way to provide help to people in crisis is by making donations directly to your local Trussell Trust foodbank where all donations are welcome. You can find your nearest one in Edinburgh by visiting https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/.
Stopping hunger is about more than food, which is why The Trussell Trust works with its foodbanks to provide additional services, such as money advice and budget cookery courses, which create a lasting impact by addressing the underlying causes of poverty.
Research from the Low Income Diet and Nutrition Survey (LIDNS), commissioned by the Food Standards Agency, has previously shown that 61% of men and 65% of women on a low income have cholesterol levels linked with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease*.
Canned fish such as mackerel, contains high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids, which provide key vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to thrive. It also helps to maintain blood pressure, boost brainpower and may help to decrease heart failure.
Heather Middleton, marketing manager at Seafish said, “By partnering with the Trussell Trust we can support their amazing work to end UK poverty. I’m personally very inspired by the work of the Trust which is why I am behind the Just Giving campaign to raise money to get more canned seafood into food banks in the UK. I hope people in Edinburgh will get on board and donate through one of these channels to support the Trussell Trust’s mission and to make seafood more accessible.
“If individuals and families can include more fish into what they eat each week, it can make such a difference to their general health and well-being.
“Canned fish really is the perfect all-rounder, its cheap, tasty, easy to keep in the cupboard and most importantly, it’s packed full of nutritional goodness. Whether it’s put on toast or made into a fish cake or pie there are so many ways to enjoy it at home.”
Sam Stapley from The Trussell Trust added, “We’re delighted to be working with Seafish this Seafood Week to call for donations of tinned fish to Trussell Trust foodbanks. Every day in the UK foodbanks offer crucial support when people are hit by an emergency like redundancy or sickness and find they are unable to afford to feed their family. But foodbanks are only able to offer this help with the generous support and donations of local people and businesses. Over 90% of the food distributed by our network is donated by the public, so donations of tinned fish during Seafood Week will make a real difference.”
For more information about Seafood Week, please visit: www.seafoodweek.co.uk
For more information about the Trussell Trust, please visit: https://www.trusselltrust.org/
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