North Ayrshire food suppliers have been praised for stepping up to the plate to ensure a healthy stock of fresh produce is available for residents during the crisis.

More than 4,000 food parcels are being distributed each week – 2,300 for those families in receipt of free school meals and/or school clothing grant and a further 1,935 community packs for the most vulnerable residents.

Between 75-80 per cent of each pack is made up of fresh produce thanks to the efforts of many Ayrshire and wider Scottish suppliers.

Councillor Jim Montgomerie, Cabinet Member for Place, said: “We are very grateful to our suppliers for their support and quick reaction to the huge increase in the volume of food required during these unprecedented times.

“It’s thanks to local suppliers such as Carruthers, Muller Dairies, Fergusons Bakers, Campbell Bros and Corrie Mains who have each been a lifeline, despite reductions in their own capacity and supply chain.

“Thanks also goes to GMC in Irvine who have provided us with the necessary packaging to allow us to get the food packs out to our communities.

“I have been out daily with our staff and volunteers delivering these packs and have seen first-hand how thankful our residents are to receive them.

“We would like to wholeheartedly thank our suppliers for their continued support.

“We hope that in turn, we are going some way to assist them during this tough economical period.”

Local businesses can also contact environmentalhealth@north-ayrshire.gov.uk above if they need advice on food law compliance or assistance with changes to their business, such as providing takeaway food instead of sit-in meals.

 *******************

Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. We’re not exaggerating when we say that the future of the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, and the vital local news service we’ve provided since 1853, is under threat.

Please consider supporting the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald in whatever way you can – by paying just 90p for a copy of the paper, when you’re shopping for essential supplies for yourself and others, or by subscribing to our e-edition here.  

Thanks – and stay safe.