Hartlepool is donated 50,000 pies to tackle food poverty in town

Needy people across Hartlepool are to share this “substantial donation” courtesy of a firm which supplies snacks to airline companies.

With a drop in demand due to the ongoing pandemic, Surrey-based Monty’s Bakehouse found itself with a surplus that would have otherwise gone to waste.

A host of charities and firms both in and outside Hartlepool then banded together to store and begin distributing the pies via Hartlepool Food Council.

One grateful project partner has admitted: “There was a lot more than we anticipated”.

The donation came about when Raj Singh, of Social First Aid, contacted Hartlepower Community Interest Company after hearing about the offer through Feeding Communities.

Hartlepool factory Kerry’s Ingredients and Lineage Logistics, in Seaham, then teamed up to store the pies prior to them being distributed via the council’s network of charities and organisations.

Ian Cawley, manager of The Big League and Hartlepool Food Council member Poolie Time Exchange, said: “We decided to help and arranged transport and distribution of the pies.

"And, although there was a lot more than we anticipated, we managed to arrange cold storage through our friend Sue Welch at Kerry’s Ingredients.”

Sue said: “At Kerry Group, we are always ready to translate our global vision into demonstrable actions in the communities which we operate.

"So, asked if we could help, there was no hesitation.”

Another partner involved in the project is new Hartlepool food charity The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT).

Chief executive Mark Game said: "The pies will now be used to feed TBBT members in their weekly bags as well as supporting local projects across the Hartlepool area.

"This is a perfect example of the collaborative approach embodied by TBBT and the partners that it works with to ensure that no good food goes to waste.”

Hartlepool Food Council members also include the Hartlepool Food Network, Hartlepool Carers, Wharton Trust, Hartlepool Communities of Hope, St Aidan’s Kitchen, Hartlepool Foodbank and Fareshare Northeast.

Coordinator Julie Collin said: “Coordinating between Hartlepool’s food response organisations on such a substantial donation highlighted their shared passion to bridge the gap between food waste and community support services.”

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