Thousands of people have been able to access food thanks to community food hubs.

The West Sussex hubs, run in partnership with Sussex-based food rescue charity UKHarvest, have saved 37 tonnes of food being wasted and have helped feed 11,000 people.

The hubs, which are in every district and borough of West Sussex, take place once a month and allow residents to pick up a wide selection of surplus foods which would have gone to waste for a small voluntary donation.

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Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: "Food waste makes up a staggering 40 per cent of the average household general waste bin in West Sussex.

"At a time when many people are facing significant cost-of-living pressures we’re pleased to be supporting this valuable service to encourage residents to ‘rescue’ surplus food in exchange for a small voluntary donation."

The project kicked off as a six-month pilot scheme in October 2022 and was extended for another year after its success.

It has now been extended until April next year after receiving extra funding.

More information can be found at www.westsussex.gov.uk/UKHarvest.

Donna Martin, UKHarvest community engagement and events manager said: "The seven West Sussex County Council funded food hubs have enabled us to provide food for an additional 1,067 people each month.

"There is every likelihood that the need for food hubs will continue to increase as cost-of-living pressures show little sign of letting up, but with the support from West Sussex County Council there is hope that more people will be able to benefit from receiving rescued surplus food.”