Harbour board donation keeps foodbank mobile

Cfine buys an electric bike after receiving £13,000 in funding

Afoodbank has bought an electric bike to carry out speedy deliveries after receiving £13,000 in funding from Aberdeen Harbour Board.

Community Food Initiatives North East (Cfine) says the cargo bike will allow volunteers to deliver fresh food and emergency parcels for those who cannot make their way to the premises for health or mobility reasons.

It will ensure the social enterprise can reach those in self-isolation in the Torry, Cove and Kincorth areas to hand out vital supplies throughout the pandemic.

Among the usual essential food items being dropped off, there will be growing packs so families can produce their own vegetables.

The bike will also help to reduce the charity’s carbon footprint.

The chief executive of Aberdeen Harbour Board, Michelle Handforth, praised the group for carrying out “outstanding work” during a difficult time.

She said: “The donation will ensure more families and individuals can receive vital supplies, in a way which reduces carbon emissions and raises awareness of alternative transport options.”

Since lockdown measures were implemented, the foodbank has been handing out hundreds of parcels every day.

Deputy chief executive of Cfine, Fiona Rae, said the donation would help it to cope with an increasingly high level of demand.

She said: “The demand for emergency food has tripled since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak.

“Cfine is delivering over 1,500 emergency parcels weekly to people experiencing food insecurity.

“The electric cargo bike will be put to good use delivering emergency parcels, food growing packs, and fruit and vegetable boxes across

Aberdeen and in the surrounding areas, while reducing Cfine’s carbon footprint.”

Pupils at Ferryhill School launched an 11day campaign this week to collect food and household cleaning items for the organisation.

And residents of Norfolk Road in Broomhill have been doing weekly dance routines to raise money for the social enterprise.

MEALS ON WHEELS: From left are Fiona Rae, Kevin Mathew and Michelle Handforth with the electric bike which will also enable the charity to reduce its carbon footprint