Local produce from Taunton and the surrounding rural areas was showcased at a new Harvest event held in the attractive surrounding of Vivary Park, Taunton, on Sunday.

The event was the brain child of Andy Sherman, who runs Somerset Businesses Against Crime, to highlight the less fortunate for whom finding daily bread can be a struggle and for whom the Foodbanks are a lifeline:

"I discovered that many people who have been caught stealing from shops in the town were doing it out of necessity. So we set up the Taunton Foodbank in Taunton in 2012 and followed it with the Bridgwater Foodbank this year. Since starting 2,500 people have used the food these charitable services provides. It’s not the Government's fault that people find themselves in crisis from time to time, welfare actually needs reforming. The Foodbanks are a great temporary measure, they are often a lifeline, but now  too many people rely on the Foodbanks and what many people really need is to go to work and have some meaning, which is why we decided to raise awareness of the whole issue by staging this event."

Prospective Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, Rebecca Pow met the charity organisers to discuss the issue on Sunday:
"The Taunton Foodbank and now the recently established Bridgwater branch provide vital emergency supplies for people who really need it especially those that have a sudden crisis such as redundancy or unexpected bills. Some parents skip meals to feed their children.   People can use the 3 day food supplies three times every six months so it can help get them back on their feet.  It’s an invaluable service provided by excellent volunteers and they need as much help as possible, in terms of food and man hours. I will be dropping off some of my surplus apples for example at the depot in Albermarle. However, what many people really need is to get back on track in terms of training, apprenticeships, advice regarding budgeting and direction, things the Government have at the top of their agenda through welfare reform."

Volunteers are urgently needed to donate food, give funds, help or hold fundraising events. www.trusselltrust.org/foodbanks-projects

Picture: Taunton Deane's Prospective MP Rebecca Pow hands over a bottle of juice to Andy Sharman, who runs the Taunton foodbank