Ministers said the cash will help mitigate against the consequences of Brexit on food supply
A charity has had its funding doubled so it can help those who will be made destitute by Brexit.
Half a million pounds has been awarded to Fareshare so it can step up the distribution of emergency food to people struggling to feed themselves.
FareShare has seen its £500,000 Scottish Government funding doubled in recognition of the role it plays in helping the poorest – and the expectation that need is going to grow under the impact of Brexit and continuing Tory-driven austerity.
The charity redistributes surplus food that would otherwise go to waste to frontline charities and community groups.
Ministers said the cash will help the charity mitigate against the potential consequences of Brexit on food supply.
The funding is in addition to the Scottish Government’s £3.5 million Fair Food Fund, established to tackle food insecurity.
Communities Cabinet Secretary Aileen Campbell visited Crookston Community Food Project in Glasgow to meet with staff, volunteers and members of the community.
She said: “In a country as prosperous as ours, everyone should have access to affordable, nutritious food. Our further investment in FareShare and community groups like Crookston ensures we reach more of the people who need help the most.
“This extra funding will further help those who have been badly hit by the UK government’s cuts, which mean that welfare spending will be reduced in Scotland by £3.7 billion in 2020/21.
“We are also taking this step to insure ourselves against the economic damage of a possible exit from the EU. It is shocking that we have to do so, but the deal proposed by the UK government would make people poorer and undo much of the great progress we have made as a nation to tackle inequalities and poverty.
“Regardless of the Brexit outcome, we will continue our plans to tackle food insecurity. Scotland is the only country in the UK to routinely monitor food insecurity using the UN’s recommended measure and we are continuing to address the underlying causes.”
The Fair Food Fund aims to ensure that everyone can feed themselves and their families and reduce reliance on emergency food provision.
In 2018-19 the fund was increased from £1 million to £1.5 million, and will be £3.5 million in 2019-20.
