A FOOD redistribution project which launched last month will be providing part of a town's crisis response to provide people with fresh deliveries.

The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT), which launched at Corporation Road Primary School, Darlington, in March, gives families the opportunity to sign up for regular deliveries of fresh food.

It is now working with Darlington Borough Council to help with the town's COVID-crisis response team with deliveries of fresh food to households across the town.

The company was putting together packages at the Dolphin Centre yesterday.

The scheme pairs TBBT's expertise in redistributing food surplus with staff from the council, to provide a door-to-door delivery service for more than 200 families and households.

Mark Game, chief executive of TBBT said: "The Coronavirus is forcing us all to re-evaluate our ways of working to respond to those most in need.

"Every day TBBT takes food surplus from supermarkets, manufacturers and distributors and bags up it up for our 8,000 plus members across Greater Manchester, Darlington and beyond.

"Normally we distribute through community hubs like Corporation Road Community Primary School - and this work continues - but we are now expanding to provide a door to door service for Darlington's most vulnerable who are self-isolating at home and unable to get out to get food safely."

Councillor Jonathan Dulston, cabinet member for stronger communities, said: "There is a tremendous amount of work being done across Darlington to make sure the most vulnerable people in our community don’t go without, whether that’s through the council or community initiatives. I’m incredibly proud of the way the town has pulled together in these difficult times.

“I’m delighted we’ve been able to team up with TBBT to add another way of reaching out to those in need, with the added benefit of making sure surplus food doesn’t go to waste."

“I’d encourage anyone who is on their own and struggling to access fresh food supplies to call 01325 405000 – we’re here to help.”