Help will continue to be provided for those struggling with the cost of living crisis, after Glasgow City Council confirmed it would continue to work with the Scottish Food Pantry network.
The pantry network, set up in December 2020, is unlike a foodbank as the goods distributed are not considered as an “emergency food response”.
Instead, in exchange for a membership fee, shoppers will get between £10 and £15 worth of quality food every week, and households have the option to take out multiple memberships to enable them to have more choice, flexibility, and accessibility to the pantry's food and non-food products.
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During a recent environment and liveable neighbourhoods committee questions were raised about the council’s city food plan and how several projects the local authority was working on would help - including the development of allotments and the expansion of the pantry network.
The Glasgow City Food Plan was developed in 2018 in response to the council’s food insecurity enquiry.
It recognised the need within the city for a multiagency food plan to create a system that makes it easier for everyone in Glasgow to eat healthy, affordable, good food no matter where they live, their income or personal circumstances.
A report presented to members highlighted that the cost of living had “dramatically impacted” the implementation of the 10-year food plan.
It also highlighted that plans are in place to increase Glasgow’s food growing capacity by scaling up allotments and community growing as well as the development of urban farming in the city. The local authority will identify land to help community groups set up their own growing spaces.
Councillor Alex Kerr said: “I know certainly in my ward, allotments are absolutely oversubscribed and it is the same with private allotments as well.
“Can we expand the provision of [land] and are we significantly higher than private allotments in terms of cost?
“I would also like to know what kind of engagement has been had recently with the Scottish Food Pantry network in terms of pursuing what is in this report.”
A council officer confirmed that they would meet with the pantry network to engage with them and their work. They also agreed that the city food plan might help with the issues surrounding allotments.
They said: “We are actually meeting with the pantry network next week to engage with them.
“If there are long standing issues with the allotments, the food plan may be an area where that could be highlighted. We are fully engaged in terms of that and we are back in the ring - acknowledging this great complexity.”
A short life working group has also been set up to note the progress of the city food plan. Updates will be presented to members as and when required.
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