The launch of the Isle of Man Foodbank’s Christmas appeal coincides with good news for the charity: it now has facilities to freeze and store meat and other chilled goods from Marks & Spencer that they were unable to accept before - just in time for Christmas.

’This is massive for us: we meet families that will sit down to a very routine Christmas dinner on Christmas Day.

’For the first time ever we’ll have meat in our food chain so it’s all the produce you’d normally see at Marks & Spencer in their chilled unit.

’It could be anything from sliced meats, to steaks, to joints of meat and possibly turkeys at Christmas - but obviously it all depends on what produce hits its chill-by date.

’It will also improve people’s diet as this is a really significant source of protein that we’ve just never had before and it’s going to make a massive change,’ says Foodbank director Neal Mellon.

He added: ’Otherwise, if we’re not doing this, these items will have to go in the bin.’

The charity has purchased a fridge and four freezers and has been approved as a chilled food recipient, which will allow Neal and his team to accept chilled foods from Marks & Spencer that are going beyond their ’chill by’ date.

This means that the food is still suitable for freezing within 48 hours.

Neal explained: ’I started to work with the Marks & Spencer management team in July this year, looking at their Christmas products and chill foods that will be coming in and at how they manage their waste food.

’Marks & Spencer were very keen that the Isle of Man Foodbank became the agent that could handle these products for them.

’Up until now the Foodbank has only been able to receive and store ambient temperature food: predominently tins, dried food and the like.’

Lee Giles, manager of Marks & Spencer Douglas, said: ’It has been a great honour for Mark & Spencer to work with the Isle of Man Foodbank.

Over the past years we have made daily contributions of ambient items such as fruit, bread and tinned goods and are now looking to progress this on to the chilled items before Christmas such as meat, milk, and ready meals.

’We feel that, by supporting the Isle of Man Foodbank, Marks & Spencer can make a real contribution to the community here on the island by helping people and families in real times of need.

’By working closely with the team at the Foodbank we can rest assured that the items we donate go to the right people at the right times.’

The Foodbank also receives ambient temperature food from Tesco; perishable food, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, from Robinsons and the Coop, and cheese from Isle of Man Creamery.

Both Tynwald Mills and Eden Park donate deli items which the Foodbank then sells at its pop-up supermarkets in order to raise money to buy more everyday food that they tend to run short of through the year, such as long-life milk.

Giving people food is only part of the story though.

Neal explained: ’We work with people who often don’t have access to appropriate cooking facilities or just struggle cooking food so we have had two small social experiments running this year.

’One was putting 10 slow cookers which we were donated to us into the community.

’These are not expensive items but they make a big difference to people’s lives.

’The feedback from all the families that we put them with was that their food goes further because they can batch cook and freeze half.

’The food is better and not burnt anymore and, most significantly, fuel costs are going down.

’As a result of that and the difference it was making we put a bid into Dreamcatchers and they have funded us for 38 slow cookers which we are now in the process of distributing.

He explained that it ties in with another project that is underway which aims to educate people who aren’t confident in the kitchen.

’It’s not just a question of putting food on the table if they don’t know how to cook it and I’m seeing a generation in the community that haven’t had home economics at school.

’So we’re working with University College Isle of Man and putting on some ’Essential Cooking Skills’ sessions and we are working with Probation Services and Housing Matters to identify those who would benefit most from them.’

â?¢ Could you spare a few hours to help the Foodbank?

The Isle of Man Foodbank is looking for more volunteer drivers to help with a daily pick up of chilled food from Marks & Spencer, usually at around 6.30pm, and dropped off at Tromode House, in Cronkbourne village, where the freezers are stored.

No special vehicle is necessary as the food will be packed in cool boxes.

If you can help on a day or more each week then you can call Neal Mellon on 469632 and he will be happy to talk you through what is involved.