WITH up to two children in every UK classroom now suffering from a food allergy and numbers rising*, access to safe food options is a daily challenge for those affected – and one that is magnified for children living in poverty.
Limited access to nourishment, with food allergy risks on top, can have a major impact on the health and wellbeing of these young people. It is estimated that of the 4 million children living in hardship**, nearly 400,000 of them are living with food allergies*** – some of which can be potentially life-threatening.
In response, Free From biscuit brand, Angelic, has joined forces with London food rescue charity, City Harvest, to provide 30,000 14-allergen-free snacks to hungry school children over the summer holidays and beyond. The collaboration supports City Harvest’s mission to fight food poverty and food waste across London, especially during the school holidays when vulnerable families lose the support of term-time free school meals, breakfast clubs and childcare. Summer 2023 is set to be one of the most difficult on record for those in need.
Free from multiple allergens, including nuts, dairy, soya, eggs, sesame and gluten, children can access Angelic Cookies, Savoury Crackers and NEW Safetylicious Oat Squares through City Harvest and its 375 charity partners across London, which includes LEYF nurseries and community holiday clubs.
Angelic Founder, Kirsty Dingwall, said: “We are absolutely delighted to partner with City Harvest on this crucial initiative. Through our work with allergy families and school communities we understand how hard it is for parents and carers to both nourish their children and protect them – especially amid the cost-of-living crisis. Work with fantastic organisations like City Harvest is vital to our mission at Angelic, as a brand and business to support safer snacking for children both in and out of school.”
Commenting on the collaboration with Angelic, Mary Parsons, City Harvest Head of Food, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Angelic, redistributing 14-allergen free surplus snacks to our 375+ charities feeding their communities. As allergen-free products aren’t always accessible or affordable for communities facing food poverty, these products make a huge difference, especially to food banks and holiday projects feeding school children. Every child deserves the right to nutritious and safe food, and at City Harvest, we’re dedicated to delivering the right food, to the right people.”
