A software company in Emersons Green has asked to be paid in food rather than cash by two businesses it works with.
Agile Chilli, which is based at Bristol & Bath Science Park, asked café chain Surfside and food wholesaler Castell Howell to pay for services by giving the equivalent cost in the form of ingredients for work it had carried out.
The food was then given to Bristol charity Square Food Foundation to support the cooking of daily meals for children and families in Knowle West who usually rely on free school meals.
The charity said the ingredients would also help Square Food Foundation with the distribution of weekend meal kits to parents and children who are stuck indoors during the coronavirus crisis.
Agile Chilli co-founder Cliff Calcutt said: “It’s brilliant to be able to use our relationship with some of the food industry’s biggest players to support Square Food Foundation and the work they’re doing to ensure Bristol’s children don’t go hungry.
“Working together in this way has inspired us to use this three-way partnership as a model for something bigger - helping match charities that need food with suppliers that can provide it. Watch this space!”
During the Covid-19 school closures, Square Food said it had prepared nearly 8,000 meals for local children and families. It is currently delivering 275 daily meals to families in the area.
Square Food Foundation founder Barny Haughton added: “Bristol businesses have shown incredible generosity of spirit during this time.
“The way in which Agile Chilli have supported the #SquareMeals mission is imaginative and innovative and a shining example for other companies to follow.”
Square Food Foundation is aiming to raise £70,000 to continue this service until the end of August. For more information or to support the charity visit localgiving.org/charity/squarefoodfoundation/project/fillingthegap.
