Thomas Franks - Feeding Communities in the UK and Abroad
During this difficult time, care, community and compassion are at the forefront of our minds. Many neighbourhoods and businesses have been and continue to come together to help provide and care for those who are vulnerable and isolated.
Thomas Franks Ltd, a UK contract caterer with operations also in Europe (Malta and Portugal) with a passion for food using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and who pride themselves on excellent service have worked tirelessly over the past few weeks behind the scenes to bring to life a community kitchen project. Thomas Franks Community Feeding has been created with the aim of feeding those in need during the COVID-19 situation.
Frank Bothwell, founder of Thomas franks said “we are working with our clients, suppliers, staff and partners to use Thomas Franks client facilities to keep our local communities fed. Our mission is to provide healthy and delicious meals at a low cost and to keep our team of over 1600 people working for the benefit of those who most need our support.”
Frank added, “This is a fantastic way in which companies in lock-down can continue to support their local communities. Our clients have generously offered the use of their kitchens and facilities, our network of over 400 family-run suppliers are providing support to our highly trained chefs and kitchen teams who are producing high-quality nutritious food. The team have put together a menu of main courses and puddings which will be supplied packaged and chilled, heady for reheating by the recipients”
The HUB kitchens which are already committed to participating can potentially feed thousands of people with additional capacity becoming available as more organisations become involved.
Community Hub kitchens are confirmedin Reading, Banbury, Edinburgh, Gloucester, North London, Manchester, Shrewsbury, Richmond, Leeds, Guildford, Tavistock, Cirencester, Brighton
Some examples include:
Radnor House, feeding key workers and children of key workers and teachers.
Rendcomb College, helping members of staff and the community with their ‘Meals on Wheels’. The Thomas Franks team at Rendcomb College created an order sheet that went to all staff at Rendcomb, asking them to request any food essentials that could help whilst also supporting their local suppliers. The kitchens run with orders and the team then make up individual boxes twice a week for a collection. Due to panic buying locally the team received approximately 40 orders for staff and members of the community within two days. This was vital for members of the community as they supported the local doctors’ surgery and local key workers. With their ‘Meals on Wheels’ free delivery service, the team are so far delivering around 10 meals a day locally to residents who are currently self-isolating due to COVID-19.
In addition to the efforts in the Uk, Thomas Franks Malta has begun delivering hot meals as part of the Thomas Franks Feeding Communities project, cooking healthy and nutritious meals for those most vulnerable at this time. They have teamed up with Time to Eat Malta, who will be delivering their food across the island.
Malta Chef Director, Jon Grima, said ‘I am very proud to be involved in this initiative and I truly believe we can make a huge difference in this time of need. I urge you all to share the news that we are here to help. We are ready to feed as many people as possible and we are all in this together.’