BEN Lake MP and Elin Jones AM met Ceredigion Foodbank representatives to discuss the current demand in the county and to understand why people in rural communities are increasingly in need of emergency food supplies.

Foodbank statistics show that in Ceredigion between April 2017 and March 2018, 1,515 three-day emergency food supplies were given to people facing crisis by the Trussell Trust Foodbank Network, 580 of which were for children.

Only one of Ceredigion’s three current foodbanks is registered with the Trussell Trust, with both Aberystwyth and Lampeter foodbanks distributing food parcels independently.

Recent figures from the Aberystwyth Foodbank show that the number of food parcels handed out has significantly increased over the past five years – with the 136 food parcels distributed in 2012 increasing to 681 food parcels in 2017. Benefit delays or cuts to benefit payments accounted for 49 per cent of those food parcels. Cardigan and Lampeter foodbanks have witnessed similar patterns of use.

Ceredigion’s fourth foodbank will open its doors in Llandysul on 20 May, showing that poverty and demand for emergency food supplies is not an isolated problem affecting only the most populated areas.

Lleucu Meinir, Llandysul Foodbank representative, said: “We decided that there was a need for an official foodbank in the Llandysul area especially with the imminent roll-out of Universal Credit in Ceredigion which is likely to force families into a spiral of debt.

“The process of establishing Llandysul Foodbank has happened under the umbrella of Golau, a group of local Christians. We are extremely grateful to Ysgol Bro Teifi for their vital support and to Lampeter Foodbank volunteers for their advice and guidance during the initial set up process.”

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