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Jul 2020

Politics

Vulnerable Ripon woman sent rotten food from government scheme

Published: 7 Jul 2020, 06:15 BST

by Tim Flanagan

For five consecutive weeks, a Ripon woman in self-isolation received boxes from a government-led food scheme, containing items unfit to eat. The company involved has apologised.

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Rotten potatoes and carrots were a regular feature in food boxes received.

For five consecutive weeks, a vulnerable Ripon woman received food boxes from a government-led scheme containing items unfit to eat.

The woman, who wishes to stay anonymous, contacted The Stray Ferret, after receiving weekly boxes containing bags of rotting potatoes and carrots and dented tins.

The woman who is currently staying in sheltered accommodation, as she recuperates following life-saving surgery, has been in self-isolation for many weeks and has shown The Stray Ferret timed and dated photographs taken on her smartphone of the sub-standard items received in boxes delivered over a five-week period.

To verify her claims, we have also taken our own photography of goods, which are delivered each Wednesday from a Bidfood-UK depot in Wakefield.

The woman, who initially complained direct to the depot via phone and email, was unhappy with the response received and decided to call The Stray Ferret.

She said:

"For five consecutive weeks I received boxes containing some items, particularly potatoes and carrots, that were unfit to eat. There were also numerous dented cans. I am not being ungrateful, because the boxes are delivered free of charge, but I think it is only right that people who already have health issues should receive food that is fit to eat."

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In May, the government's Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick, announced that more than a million boxes of essential food had been delivered to those at highest risk across England. He praised national food distributors, including Bidfood, for the part played by the company in delivering packages directly to clinically vulnerable people’s doorsteps.

The food box programme, which began in late March has seen government partner with the food industry and local councils and in May, Mr Jenrick said:

"The coronavirus emergency has brought uncertain and difficult times but the willingness of people to pull together and support those most in need is an inspiration to us all."

Jim Gouldie, supply chain and technical services director at Bidfood:

“We’d like to apologise for the experience this individual has received, and reassure her that all feedback is incredibly important to us. Bidfood takes the quality of the products we supply very seriously and would never knowingly supply products of poor quality.

"This has come as a surprise to us as we’ve previously spoken to the lady concerned to ensure that we had addressed any issues she had faced, and taken appropriate actions to resolve the matter. We also revisited this issue subsequently, and the recipient indicated that she was happy with our response and approach."

Mr Gouldie, added:

"Our service to Defra is managed against a strict set of performance measures, and our performance both in terms of delivery, and box contents has always been exceptional. We are, however, grateful to have received this feedback, to help us in identifying any issues so that these can be rectified going forward and will do all we can to ensure she encounters no further problems.”

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Vulnerable Ripon woman sent rotten food from government scheme

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