Witney and West Oxfordshire Foodbank, which supports more than 5,000 people each year, has formed a new partnership with a local zero-emission business to help manage rising costs and improve efficiency.
The charity has teamed up with M&M Zero, the UK’s first zero-emission waste collection service, based in Cassington, to assist with the weekly collection and transportation of food purchases from supermarkets to the foodbank’s base at Cottsway House.
The partnership enables the charity to streamline logistics at a time when it is increasingly required to buy food to meet demand.
Witney and West Oxfordshire Foodbank provides nutritionally balanced emergency food packages and access to financial and practical advice for people referred in crisis by professionals including GPs, schools, health and social workers, Citizens Advice and other charities.
Today, around 40 per cent of the food distributed by the charity is purchased directly. Before the pandemic, just two per cent of items were bought internally, with the vast majority donated. Rising demand has made careful budgeting and transport logistics more critical than ever.
Maria Grindley, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Witney and West Oxfordshire Foodbank, said having access to a van each week allows the charity to maximise its food budget.
“Price watching is critical,” said Maria. “By purchasing items at the lowest rate, we’re able to support more individuals and families with nutritionally balanced emergency food packages.
“Transport has always been another barrier. Without a sufficient amount of space to load the food we order, we encounter additional time and cost expense for the charity and our volunteers.
“It’s why we’re so grateful to The M&M Group and its M&M Zero vans for supporting the collection and unloading processes for our weekly orders which help to move people in Witney and west Oxfordshire out of food poverty.”
Clients can receive up to six food parcels in a six-month period and are offered access to financial advice aimed at addressing the underlying causes of hardship.
“Foodbanks are misunderstood,” Maria added. “Those who believe we provide people with their weekly food shop could not be further from the reality of our operation.”
Founded in 2021, M&M Zero operates electric vans powered by electricity and solar panels.
Matt Wright, Commercial Director at The M&M Group, said: “The fact Witney and West Oxfordshire Foodbank worked with more than 5,000 people in 2025 – including 2,200 children – demonstrates there is a food poverty crisis locally, which is something our team want to tackle.”
