Newark College set up its food bank initiative over two years ago to ensure students always have access to substantial and nutritious food. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, demand for the service has massively increased so the College is pleased to have additional help from local businesses.
The Lindum Group have set up a series of food donation banks on site and at the College's main entrance, where donations can be made more easily.
In working together, the two organisations hope to show students the positive benefits that eating healthily can have on their learning.
Newark College is already part of a nationwide project called Good for ME Good for FE which focuses on the key elements of healthy food, volunteering and how this supports the local community.
Lindum, who are currently working at Newark College renovating a workshop for the new International Air and Space Training Institute to make way for a flight simulator and Virtual Reality suite, were eager to support the food bank initiative.
Lindum Director Nick Hammond said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Newark College as part of its 'Good for Me Good for FE' campaign.
“The college is dedicated to improving the lives of its students and its community and this sits well with Lindum's company ethos. As a local business, we do our best to try to be a good neighbour and add value to the areas in which we work.
“So far, we have donated the food bank collection bins and arranged for the signs to be produced by a social enterprise. We hope to get even more involved as the initiative progresses.”
Penny Taylor, Lead for Education and Training at Newark College said: ‘We are aware of the positive impact food can have on learning and encourage our students to access the foodbank at any time; this is available for all students and is not means tested in any way. Students have access to breakfast, dinner and tea and can take food home to cook for their families, thus encouraging the act of cooking and eating together.
“Working alongside Newark and Sherwood District Council, we have a crop drop from local residents' allotments each week and food products are collated with a recipe card so meals can be cooked at home.
“The feedback has been fantastic, and we are keen to develop this further with local businesses to continuing developing the community aspect we already have at college.”
If you would like to donate to Newark College’s food bank, please bring your donations to the bank located at the main entrance.
If you would like more information about supporting the initiative, please contact Penny Taylor at ptaylor@lincolncollege.ac.uk
