A FOOD charity boss has called on volunteers from Bradford and Calderdale to help distribute food during the ongoing pandemic.

The founder of The Real Junk Food Project (TRJFP), Adam Smith, is mobilising TRJFP’s network in Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield and Calderdale to provide food to all who need it during the COVID-19 crisi. He is also calling for volunteers and funds to support this effort.

TRJFP was set up by Adam Smith in 2013 to distribute perfectly edible food that would otherwise not make it to plate to individuals, cafes, schools and community groups.

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But the charity has switched its focus to making sure that food continues to reach the people who need it most, as well as NHS workers.

Adam Smith, founder of TRJFP, said: "Let’s get one thing clear - there is no shortage of food.

"There are lots of wholesalers with large quantities of food for the catering industry that we can collect, divide and distribute to those who need it.

"We can also deliver food to those who are able to pay for the food, in order to fund it for those who can’t. We are looking for volunteers to help us with this vital work.

"This is different to our usual work where we intercept perfectly edible food destined for landfill and use it to feed bellies not bins.

"Our donations have dried up so we will need to buy food from wholesalers to make this work.

"We urgently need volunteers across Bradford, Leeds and Wakefield to help with the collection and delivery of food, cooking and freezing the meals; as well as back-office support to coordinate this huge effort."

By using a combination of Pay As You Feel donations at The Kindness Sharehouse in Wakefield, a Go Fund Me page and selling Freegan Boxes of mixed goods priced at £10 and £5; TRJFP plans to raise enough money to pay for food.

The charity is going to start mass catering with the food it receives and is working with local restaurants and businesses to set up hubs for the effort.

Volunteers will be cooking and freezing meals that can then be distributed to those who need them, including those in isolation.

The pre-cooked meals will be included in ‘isolation packs’ as well as other essential items, fruit and vegetables.

TRJFP is already working alongside food banks in Bradford, Leeds and Wakefield to get the food out to those who need it.

Collection points will also be set up in Bradford, Leeds and Wakefield Bradford for NHS workers to come and collect boxes of food.

To register to volunteer, for a Freegan box or for an isolation box, go to facebook.com/TRJFProject

To make a donation to TRJFP’s campaign, go to the gofundme page