A Midlands food company has launched a humanitarian effort to collect and ship out 50 trucks of food to families in Ukraine.
Oakland International hopes to start sending donations from UK suppliers to the Poland/Ukraine border – and maybe even across the border if it is safe enough – as early as tomorrow (Wednesday March 2).
Management has been in touch with Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, the British Red Cross and various EU embassies to find out the best way of getting fresh, frozen, tinned and packet food across Europe.
The business is using its three hubs in Leicestershire, Redditch and Corby to process the shipments as well as sites used by partner companies.
Oakland International co-founder and group chief executive Dean Attwell: "We have today issued a call for support from the UK and Ireland food sector to assist our European friends so badly affected by the invasion of Ukraine.
“Oakland is prepared to fund up to 50 trucks and drivers to take essential food items (chilled, frozen and ambient) to the eastern border of Poland and possibly into Ukraine if we can get through.
“We are involved in a sector which is famous for responding fast and achieving impossible targets – I am hoping that we can all publicise this request for support and rally together to get all 50 trucks dispatched between Wednesday and Friday this week.
“If you are able to support with offers of full pallets or full trucks of food, please email ukraine@oakland-international.com.
“Our own fleet and our network of partners in the UK and Ireland can link up for full load collections or give you the choice of 10 consolidation hubs which we will be using to build full truck loads.
“We will guarantee that the stock gets to where it is needed and we are in touch with embassies and the Red Cross to help guide us on the most needed commodities.”
A spokeswoman for Oakland said the response for the appeal had been strong with companies offering supplies as well as loans of refrigerated trailers, logistical support, customs help and help driving the trucks.
The family-run business is a specialist in contract food packing, storage, picking and distribution, as well as brand development.
It works with clients sending out fresh, chilled and frozen food to the retail, convenience, discount, wholesale and food service markets in the UK, Ireland and via a partner in Spain.
Two years ago it invested £4 million last year fitting out a 225,000 sq ft unit at Bardon, near Coalville in north west Leicestershire, with capacity to store and move 24,000 pallets.
The British Red Cross has launched an appeal for financial donations to help families in Ukraine get access to clean water, food, first aid, medicines, warm clothes and shelter.
People can donate to that appeal by ringing 0300 023 0820.
