That's a (Food) Wrap! 30 June 2025 Our Food Roots 2 Project, funded by the GLA, is coming to a close, but it leaves a lasting legacy. Over the last 18 months, we've co-produced with a group of local food banks already involved in data collection, a data framework to improve the quality and consistency of data collected by food banks across Haringey. This framework defines core data categories for tracking crisis food provision and the additional wraparound support services offered to residents. This innovative system enables the borough-wide collation and analysis of crisis food provision data, helping to measure impact, inform targeted information, advice and guidance (IAG) services, and strengthen future funding bids. This new approach will not only help organisations to deliver a joined-up, data-driven response to food poverty, but also ensure that wrap-around support remains at the core of delivery in Haringey when it comes to supporting people living in food poverty. Alongside the framework, we've developed: An Information, Advice and Guidance Toolkit to serve as a practical guide for food banks and community food projects in Haringey that aim to go beyond providing emergency food and address the underlying causes of food poverty. Delivered six Community of Practice sessions to over 30 groups in Haringey on topics including Benefits and Debt, Health and Wellbeing, Immigration, Housing and Homelessness, Joining the Dots, and Dignity, raising awareness of local services and forging new partnerships between advice organisations, statutory services and food banks. Worked with food banks and partners across the borough to increase awareness and take-up of the Healthy Start Campaign and Pension Tax Credit Campaign, increasing financial security among their service users. Developed specific referral pathways for referring food bank users with No Recourse to Public Funds to specialist advice organisations, allowing some of the most vulnerable families to access advice, support, and additional funds. Helped establish and forge partnerships among statutory, national and local organisations to work together to improve more targeted wrap-around support for those living in food poverty in Haringey Manage Cookie Preferences
Alongside the framework, we've developed: An Information, Advice and Guidance Toolkit to serve as a practical guide for food banks and community food projects in Haringey that aim to go beyond providing emergency food and address the underlying causes of food poverty. Delivered six Community of Practice sessions to over 30 groups in Haringey on topics including Benefits and Debt, Health and Wellbeing, Immigration, Housing and Homelessness, Joining the Dots, and Dignity, raising awareness of local services and forging new partnerships between advice organisations, statutory services and food banks.