‘We’re fighting for survival’: Future of food charity hangs in the balance after cuts

A food charity which has been nominated for a national award for tackling hunger is at risk of closure after cuts to its funding.

Healthy Living Platform (HLP), based in Brixton, hosts weekly pantries across Lambeth offering low-cost, healthy food to about 7,409 people.

But its future now hangs in the balance following the termination of its contract with Lambeth council due to borough-wide budget cuts.

Carla Thomas, 40, of Windrush Square, Brixton, is the managing director of HLP.

She said: “The Hub is a critical facility that we’ve spent five years building in partnership with the council.

“We’re deeply grateful for the early investment that made the Hub what it is today, and now to Impact on Urban Health for stepping in – but the work is not done and we are still at risk of closure.

“We are calling on new partners to help protect this infrastructure and help us continue.”

Lambeth has one of the highest rates of food parcel deliveries across the UK with 27,473 parcels distributed across the borough between 2023 and 2024, according to data produced by food bank charity, The Trussell Trust.

The service is currently relying on emergency funding from Impact On Urban Health charity to keep its Surplus Food Hub running until November.

Nikita Sinclair, Head of Children’s health and food programme, Impact on Urban Health, said: “The Surplus Food Hub is a crucial piece of infrastructure that contributes to a sustainable food network in the borough.

“Ongoing funding would ensure that nutritious food continues to reach marginalised communities and those living on lower incomes.”

HLP  became a lifeline to vulnerable Lambeth residents during the pandemic when it partnered with The Felix Project – which distributes surplus food – and Lambeth council to provide emergency food supplies.

Since then, it has handed out around five tonnes of surplus food every week to 40 community groups including refugee and asylum seeker centres, community organisations and women’s centres.

Elizabeth Maytom MBE, project manager at Lambeth South and Croydon Foodbank, said: “HLP has helped residents move from foodbanks to more dignified models like pantries.

“Losing this service will push people deeper into poverty and further strain foodbanks like us already at breaking point.”

The funding crisis comes after HLP was named a finalist at the upcoming Voices to End Hunger Awards taking place next Thursday at the Institute of Contemporary Arts.

Ms Thomas said: “We’re honoured to be recognised nationally for the impact of our work –  but the reality is we’re fighting for survival.

“This award is a reminder of everything at stake –  and everything worth protecting.”

The awards will celebrate grassroots organisations and individuals tackling food poverty. Finalists were chosen for compassion, creativity and community-led approaches to building long-term food security.

HLP is now seeking multi-year funding partnerships with charitable trusts, corporations, and aligned funders.

A Lambeth council spokesman said the HLP does “important work” which has been funded by the council for five years. But due to financial pressures, the council has decided to stop funding their service directly.

He said: “We are proud of the role we played in setting up and supporting the platform in response to the unprecedented circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We have already helped the HLP secure a significant grant, and are continuing to work with the charity to apply for further grants and raise funds through other means.

“Additionally, we are intending to award them £68,000 in developer contributions via our Council’s Community Connections Fund for a new food ambassador programme that will help local people shop for food and cook more healthily.”

Pictured top: Akil Wilson, HLP volunteer sorting surplus food donations (Picture: HLP)