A scheme that aims to feed Mansfield households fighting food poverty is growing.

To highlight its work students at West Nottinghamshire College, Mansfield, were asked to design a logo for Feeding Mansfield Network. 

The Mayor of Mansfield, Andy Abrahams, praised the winner of the competition, Alberth Pirscoveanu, who is studying a BTEC National Extended Diploma in Creative Digital Media Production (Digital Design and Games).

Mayor Andy, who presented a £50 shopping voucher to Alberth, along with certificates to all competition entrants, said: “The competition may just have been about two words — Feeding Mansfield — but it has a lot of meaning behind it because it has been a real struggle for many people during the pandemic to make ends meet.

“For children, not having a square meal before coming to school can affect their ability to learn during the day and lead to detrimental behaviour in class, so it is important that at the very least every child starts the day with a decent breakfast.

“Alberth’s design sends a powerful message that resonated with the aims of Feeding Mansfield Network.

“The network is about more than tackling poverty and food insecurity. It is also about engendering independence and resilience among local people in providing families with access to affordable and healthy food through a variety of channels. These are open to anyone and we would encourage anyone who feels in need of support for whatever reason to make use of them.”

Tony Hall, design and media learning company specialist at the college, added: “The students worked really well on this project. There was a mixed bag of ideas as there were both level 1 and level 2 students working on it, and there was a lot of enthusiasm which was really good to see.

“Logo design really is the bread and butter of designer’s work — but just because it’s a logo doesn’t mean it’s a simple task.”

Feeding Mansfield Network, which is led by Mansfield District Council, was set up about a year ago.

Its aim is to work with local agencies to support a growing numbers of households struggling with food poverty. create local solutions, and enable greater access to healthy and affordable food.

Among the most significant achievements in the past year is supporting the development of a new community charity, Growing Mansfield, which has been distributing locally-grown allotment produce to community food schemes.

‘Crop Drop’ has seen fruit and vegetables delivered to Bull Farm FOOD Club and Ladybrook Community Share scheme with plans to expand the project to other outlets.

Feeding Mansfield has also worked with national charity Family Action to set up FOOD (Food On Our Doortstep) clubs in the town centre, Bellamy and Oak Tree estates, Ravensdale, Bull Farm estate and Mansfield Woodhouse. These are open to any resident living or working within 15 minutes of the club and members can buy a bag of good quality food items every week, worth between £10 and £15, for just £3.50. 

As well as providing families with access to food at a low cost, the clubs also reduce the amount of usable food that end up in landfill. More details about the FOOD Clubs and other food support schemes can be found at www.mansfield.gov.uk/foodsupport.

Among other organisations in the network are: Nottinghamshire County Council Public Health Department, Family Action, the  Salvation Army, Mansfield Soup Kitchen, Ladybrook Enterprises, Nottinghamshire County Council Youth Services, Chesterfield Road South Methodist Church, Mansfield Citizens Advice, Arena Church, Schools Out, CAR Lifespring church, Feel Good Gardens, A Place To Call Our Own, Fare Share Midlands, Your Health Your Way and Mansfield Homeless Network. 

More information about the network is available by emailing Helen Marriott, Food Co-ordinator for the council at [email protected] or Dominic Ayton, Health and Wellbeing Officer at [email protected].