Approved Food, a leading online food retailer of surplus food, has stepped in with generous donations to help a food bank threatened with closure.

The Sheffield-based company donated three full pallets of food, drinks and baby products to Batley Food Bank, which distributes parcels to families in need, aiming to provide three meals a day for a week.

The bank is run by a team of community volunteers who feared empty shelves would force the bank to close, with a devastating effect on the people of Batley.

The bank currently feeds around 40 adults and children every day, but donations of supplies are not keeping up with demand for goods.

That’s when Approved Food stepped in, donating tinned, dried and vacuum-packed items along with nappies, formula milk and sanitary products with a retail value of hundreds of pounds.

MD Andy Needham said: “When we heard that the food bank’s shelves were empty, we couldn’t sit back and do nothing. We are passionate about food redistribution so decided to step in to help this incredible team that works tirelessly to make sure families have enough to eat.”

The West Yorkshire-based Hirsche Foundation has also pledged goods worth £500 to the food bank – which Approved Food will match.

Approved Food is also donating goods to Huddersfield Street Kitchen, which feeds the hungry and homeless each Sunday afternoon.

Liz Stanley, who helps run the food bank, commented: “We are an entirely voluntary organisation without any formal funding.  With the ongoing issues surrounding Universal Credit, PIP appeals and rental cap, our supplies are always running low. We are delighted and extremely grateful to all at Approved Food for this kind donation which enable us to feed struggling individuals and families in Batley and the surrounding area.

“This donation not only helps families who are in dire food poverty but also helps the environment by preventing good food from going to waste.”

Approved Food stocks food that is nearing or past its best before date, but never past its used by date. Since launching 10 years ago with just 50 items, the company has significantly expanded the choice available and has around 6,000 products on offer online at any given time, ranging from groceries, confectionery, soft drinks, household goods, wines and spirits to beauty products and luxury gifts. It estimates it has prevented around four million tonnes of goods from going to waste in the past 10 years.

For more, please go to www.approvedfood.co.uk.