OUR CITY has witnessed the community coming together on a huge scale over the last few weeks. We have seen some people take on massive challenges to ensure everyone can stay safe and not go hungry.

Food hubs and community kitchens are being established and hundreds of volunteers are out delivering food parcels.

The Brighton and Hove Food Partnership is doing vital work co-ordinating donations and deliveries throughout our existing food bank network. They launched an appeal for more donations so that no one in our city goes hungry and we are grateful to the many cafes and restaurants who have donated surplus food.

The appeal has so far raised nearly £25,000 (at the time of writing) towards its target of £30,000. Please donate if you can. You’ll find the link at https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/hungry-at-home-2020.

We are working with Food Partnership to bulk buy food and essential household items to increase supplies at our food hubs, and ensure those supplies are redirected to those in need, either delivered to people’s doorsteps or via collection, all at a safe social distance.

On the Food Partnership’s website you can find advice, guidance and information on how to access free or low-cost food and a list of local greengrocers and bakeries that offer delivery services so you can shop from home and reduce the spread of the Covid-19 virus at https://bhfood.org.uk/how-to-hub/local-veg-box-schemes-and-farmers-markets/.

You can also find information about food vouchers. A new Government scheme means schools are moving to a food voucher arrangement for parents of children who are eligible for free school meals.

These vouchers can currently be used at Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and M&S – but we understand the Government is working to see if additional supermarkets can be added to this list and we are looking to support those efforts.

Sadly, the level of panic buying in previous weeks left some people, including those who were vulnerable and people who worked in the NHS, without access to everyday ingredients to make a nourishing meal.

The shelves were also cleared of basics like baby milk, nappies, tins, cereal, pasta, rice and gluten-free foods. I wrote to supermarkets asking them to take urgent action to limit the number of basic items people could buy, to prioritise online delivery slots for those who needed them most including older people, people with disabilities and those who need to self-isolate. I am glad that supermarkets responded and are now rationing some products and keeping online deliveries for vulnerable people.

I was horrified when some of you contacted me about some places marking up prices on scarce goods.

A public health crisis is not the time to profiteer and you may have seen in The Argus today that have I issued a clear statement saying if anyone sends me evidence of any business in this city that has sought to increase its profits on essential goods, I will be asking for financial support from the Government to be withheld from them.

Elsewhere, lots of our local businesses have started offering delivery services for food and essentials.

Getting food delivered from local independent businesses also helps ease pressure on supermarkets and supports our local economy.

One of our central priorities is community wealth building, which means buying local and supporting our independent businesses so money stays in the city.

The Argus has also launched its #BackingSussexBusiness campaign to support our local traders and small enterprises.

Thinking about my own experience of shopping from home, I have been getting a box of fresh fruit and vegetables (with no plastic wrapping) delivered by Dubleaus, a new greengrocer at the bottom of Whitehawk Road.

I love cooking and since all my evening meetings have been cancelled, I have had more time to do that.

As the veg box contains a random selection I have been enjoying experimenting with vegetables I have not really eaten before.

I can highly recommend celeriac mash which is a healthier and low carb alternative to potatoes.

And thanks to all those who helped with vegetable identification and recipes via Facebook.

I’d also love to hear from you about what’s happening in your community that you’d like to see continue after this pandemic is over.

Do share your thoughts by sending them to The Argus letters page.