Vulnerable people still struggling to access food supplies amid coronavirus crisis, Which? warns

Food banks are preparing to face more demand during the outbreak
PA

Urgent action is still needed to make it easier for vulnerable people to access supermarket delivery slots and other sources of supplies, Which? has warned.

The consumer group argued the current system is not working for those who need it the most, leaving vulnerable people at risk of going hungry.

It said it is continuing to hear from people who are struggling to book supermarket delivery slots, unable to find the help they need locally, and in some cases find themselves forced to risk their health to get supplies.

Some vulnerable customers have told Which? that they are staying up into the early hours of the morning in an attempt to book supermarket delivery slots, while others are relying on the kindness of neighbours.

It comes after the Evening Standard launched its Food For London Now appeal to support the work of The Felix Project to deliver food to the vulnerable and NHS frontline workers.

Felix has quadrupled its food deliveries during the pandemic crisis to the equivalent of 100,000 meals a day, and the Standard is aiming to raise £10m over the next three years.

Which? gathered over 1,000 reports of people who have struggled to access food and supplies amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Sue Davies, head of its consumer protection and food policy, said: "Based on the huge number of reports we're seeing from vulnerable people struggling to get access to basic food and supplies, it's clear that the current system is not working for those who need it the most."

One vulnerable couple, who are relying on a neighbour, described supermarket delivery slots to Which? as "gold dust".

And a disabled and housebound woman told Which? she had been "trapped with no deliveries for three of the past four weeks".

Which? argued that, while many supermarkets have gone to great lengths to increase their capacity, without a more co-ordinated effort from governments across the UK and better access to other forms of provision in local areas, deliveries will continue to fall short of what is needed.

It wants to see more joined-up activity involving governments at national and local levels, the food industry and local charities so that all options for providing food deliveries, from supermarkets to local shops and volunteers, are used fully.

There should also be a simpler process for people at highest risk to register for help to get the type of food supplies they need, Which? said, alongside clearer communication so people know how to access support.

The consumer group also wants to see more consistent support across the UK, so that all vulnerable consumers, regardless of where they live, can be confident they will get the help they need.

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