Thirty worthy projects have so far been funded by East Devon District Council's Coronavirus Community Food Fund, giving out a total of over £45,000.

This fund provides grants for any projects related to providing food to residents of East Devon who are in food poverty during the coronavirus situation.

One of the organisations to receive a grant was the Seaton-based Axe Valley Re:Store Community Interest Company, which received £1,000 to help provide Christmas food packages to families in need across the local area.

Three Axminster organisations have also benefited from the fund.

Axminster Foodbank received £1,000 to continue to support residents of East Devon with fresh fruit and veg and household products; Nourish Axminster also received £1,000 to help them source and deliver Christmas meals and hampers to individuals and families in need in Axminster; and Project Food received £2,497 to run online and face-to-face food support sessions (when restrictions allow) and skills development sessions for people living in food poverty.

Other grants to be awards are as follows:

• £500 to Broadclyst Parish Council to help them continue to help their residents through their foodbank. 

• £2,000 to Ottery Community Volunteers to contribute towards the initial setting up of a community fridge and larder. 

• £1,590 to SAVE Food Hub Sidmouth. This was to fund technology to coordinate their efforts to support the local community by providing free food that would otherwise be wasted.

• £2,500 to Budleigh Salterton Relief in Need. This will be used to help them provide food vouchers for local shops to vulnerable families.

• £1,200 to the Honiton Community Transport Association to pay for them to go and collect food from Bristol that would otherwise be wasted. This food will then be distributed to people in need.

• £600 to Honiton Foodsave to help them expand and grow. They collect surplus food from businesses in the East Devon area, and distribute it to other community groups and individuals in need.

• £1,943 to Ottery Community Volunteers' community larder to help them fund software, petrol and other expenses. They supply waste and surplus food, and donations, to the Ottery community.

To see all the other projects that were funded between April and July 2020 visit the East devon District Council website.

Councillor Marianne Rixson, East Devon District Council's portfolio holder with responsibility for Coronavirus response and recovery said:

"I applaud the work of all the voluntary groups which have stepped up to the mark, as they undoubtedly have been an absolute lifeline for our local communities.  

"However, it is a sad indictment on our society that so many people need to turn to food banks just to get by."