Three Bucks food banks receive RaisingNutrition accreditation

It comes after a year-long Bucks Council-funded pilot to improve the healthiness of food provided by food banks.

Following tailored training, changes made at Aylesbury Vineyard, Chiltern Food Bank, Bridge the Gap are projected to deliver more than 60,000 additional portions of vegetables through food parcels each year. 

Alongside resources and ongoing support, the training from RaisingNutrition encouraged volunteers to look at how they could strengthen the healthiness of the food they provide in their parcels. A key focus of the pilot was the Donations to Dinner training, which pushed staff to think about how items work together as everyday, achievable meals. 

One volunteer reflected: "It opened our eyes to whether the food we are giving is sustainable and practical."

The programme followed a five-stage approach – assess, plan, support, embed and accredit – in an effort to help each food bank to identify realistic opportunities for improvement, such as revising picking lists or developing simple recipe ideas and meal guides for clients. RaisingNutrition found that as a result of the scheme, volunteer confidence in helping clients plan balanced meals rose by 33%. In total, 47 volunteers were trained across four sites, with Berryfields Community Store also participating in the wider programme. 

Isobel Darby, Buckinghamshire Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: "We are committed to supporting healthier communities across Buckinghamshire, and this pilot shows how practical changes can make a real difference for families using food banks. By focusing on what people can actually cook and eat at home, rather than simply what is donated, this work helps ensure support is both meaningful and nutritionally balanced. It is encouraging to see local food banks leading the way and achieving accreditation through this programme."

David Titman, Director of RaisingNutrition, added: "The idea behind the Donations to Dinner training – supporting individuals and families to make balanced meals from what is in their parcels, rather than just what has been donated – proved to be the most practical and powerful approach. Food banks want to provide food that genuinely helps the families they support, and this programme gives them the tools to do that. This pilot shows the difference that kind of support can make.

The full pilot summary, including approach, impact data and key learning, is available on Raising Nutrition's website (external link).