Food poverty fund 2023/24

Neath Port Talbot Council has received a total of £152,332 from the Welsh Government to tackle the food poverty crisis in Neath Port Talbot. 

Who is eligible to apply? 

• Charitable or voluntary organisations, those with charitable objectives and not-for-private-profit organisations
• Statutory agencies will not be funded for activities they are legally obliged to finance, however, non-statutory activities are eligible
• Schools will be eligible to apply for activities supporting the prevention or alleviation of food poverty

Funding criteria

Supporting organisations to meet the needs of an increased number of people and customers facing food poverty and to support activities that focus on addressing the root causes of food poverty.

Examples of eligible spend includes but are not limited to:

• purchasing additional supplies of food and essential goods
• Fareshare membership fees
• community growing/cooking projects where the aim is to tackle food poverty and insecurity
• additional costs incurred as a result of increased demand
• costs incurred as a result of additional outreach work required, especially to reach the most vulnerable
• training for volunteers
• support for organisations that are experiencing difficulties in operating effectively. This may relate to, for example but not limited to:
  • some overhead costs
  • volunteer expenses
  • support to meet additional costs incurred as a result of increased demand such as those relating to additional deliveries
• Start-up costs for developing services around community food provision, such as:
  • social supermarkets
  • community cafes
  • lunch clubs
  • advice services and hubs built around community food provision and/or signposting to agencies that can help with issues leading to food poverty
  • food partnerships, with a view to creating local food schemes that help tackle food insecurity.

This fund is predominantly revenue based. There is, however, a very limited amount, up to £2000, per application available for capital spend on items such as, but not limited to:

• fridges
• freezers
• cooking equipment

Ineligible spend

This grant is unable to cover an organisation’s:

• annual running costs
• costs associated with its normal everyday business aims and objectives (for example staff costs, utility bills, insurance costs etc.)

Taking into consideration the number of  applications we anticipate in receiving, we would suggest that organisations can apply for funding up to £7,000 (inclusive of capital if relevant). 

The amount available may be subject to change depending on:

• the take-up
• how much money is left in the fund as the year progresses

Larger amounts of funding

Larger amounts may be available where multiple organisations are looking to work together across different sectors or Local Authorities in order to develop and strengthen food partnerships with a view of creating sustainable food schemes that help tackle food insecurity.

Each application will be assessed on its merits and fit with the funding criteria or an identified food poverty need. Successful applicants will need to spend their allocated funding by 31 March 2024. 

The fund can be applied for at any time, either until:

• the grant money runs out
• it gets too close to the 31 March 2024 deadline to be able to process and spend

Organisations can apply more than once as long as submissions are for different or complimentary activities.

Please read the Funding Guidelines prior to completing your application.

Successful applicants will be required to complete a Funding Completion Form and supply proof of expenditure. Any underspend will need to be returned to the Fund.

Please contact the Business Support Officer if you have any questions regarding an application.

Email your completed application form including all the necessary information as required, to communityfoodconnections@npt.gov.uk