The annual stock check has been completed and we have a good supply of food in the Warehouse to ensure we can continue to feed the people of Swindon who hit a crisis.

Just to give you an idea of quantities and how long they are likely to last here are one or two examples on the basis of an average of 52 people each week.

Pasta: 500g per person, 926 kg                    = approx 35 weeks
Baked Beans: 2 tins per person, 3,148 tins    = approx 30 weeks
Tinned Fruit: 2 tins per person, 1220 tins       = approx 11 weeks
Tomatoes: 2 tins per person, 869 tins            = approx 8 weeks
Sugar: 500g per person, 210 kg                    = approx 8 weeks

Which means while we have 12 tonnes of food in the Warehouse, it is not in balance, with some categories needing restocking sooner than others!

However, we are not unduly worried. We estimate the next Supermarket collection will be needed in March 2010 but we have not booked a date yet. If you would like to be kept informed of the next collection date, please contact the Foodbank team by emailing us.