Israeli foodstuffs have been donated to the Isle of Man Foodbank to provide people, who are facing struggle, with a chance of trying something different.

The Isle of Man Friends of Israel (IOMFOI) dropped off a collection of special Israeli treats to the Manx charity that gives support in the form of food parcels to families and individuals in need.

The items included biscuits, soup, stock cubes, jelly and other long-lasting food supplies.

This is the second year that the group has made this type of contribution and it is hoped it will become an annual event.

Rosalind Dobson, chairman of the IOMFOI, said: ’It seems appropriate for an IOMFOI group to donate Israeli food.

’We also like giving people the opportunity of sampling something a little different.’

She said particular noteworthy foods that were in the collection included ’Bamba’, a soft peanut butter snack food that is a favourite in Israel.

’Originally intended for children, now everyone loves it,’ she said. ’The low incidence of peanut allergy in Israel is thought to be due to consumption of this food at an early age.

’I don’t know for sure, but it appeared to work for my highly-allergic smaller granddaughter!’

The group also donated packets of chicken soup that don’t contain meat, but ’taste like the real thing’ Rosalind said, and chicken stock cubes.

’They all contain lots of good ingredients like veggies,’ she added.

’They do seem to help when you have a cold or flu, too. Mind you, there’s nothing quite like actual chicken soup - also known as Jewish penicillin!’ For more information about the Isle of Man Foodbank, search: https://isleofmanfoodbank.wordpress.com/