A website has been launched in a bid to help the 27,000 homes set to be hit by food poverty in Shropshire.
The Shropshire Food Poverty Alliance has launched the site in a bid to help people struggling to feed their families.
It said there was a 22 per cent increase in the number of people needing food bank vouchers in Shropshire last year.
And research by professors says 27,000 homes in the county will need help when government benefit reforms are introduced this year.
The alliance, which works with Shropshire Council, said it hoped the website will give people ideas on how to eat well on a budget.
Jackie Jeffrey, CEO, Citizens Advice Shropshire, said: “Last year we saw a 22 per cent increase in clients needing food bank vouchers, so we know that more people are finding themselves in financial difficulty and unable to afford food.
“The good news is there is help available across the county for people who are struggling and the new Shropshire Larder website is a great place to find out what is local to you.”
Emily Fay, the Shropshire Food Poverty Alliance co-ordinator, added:“We know that more people are finding themselves falling into food poverty, but there are lots of places across Shropshire to turn to for help and support. If you would like to add information to the Shropshire Larder website please get in touch.”
The Shropshire Larder site will bring together local information on how to eat well on a budget, how to access money advice, and the location of foodbanks and other community food projects around the county.
The alliance said food poverty is a growing issue in Shropshire, affecting people both in and out of work.
Increases to the cost of living combined with low wages have reduced the amount some households have to spend on food.
Research carried out by Sheffield Hallam University suggests that up to 27,000 families in Shropshire will be affected by the culmination of separate welfare reforms.
Lee Chapman, chairman of Shropshire Health and Well-being Board, said: “The Shropshire Larder website is an excellent initiative, and a highly valuable resource for people experiencing food crisis.
“We are pleased to support the work of the Food Poverty Alliance through ‘Healthy Lives’ which is the prevention programme of the Health and Well-being Board. I would encourage anyone to take a look at the website and share with their communities.”
The website can be found at www.shropshirelarder.org.uk
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