#FeedtheNation: Young farmers deliver to elderly amid coronavirus outbreak 

Young farmers in Cornwall are providing food deliveries and support to elderly and vulnerable people who are self-isolating over the coronavirus.

Members of the Probus Young Farmers’ Club (YFC) are offering to deliver food and essential items to vulnerable and isolated people who are opting to stay in home during the pandemic.

Sam Oatey, Probus YFC chairman, told Farmers Weekly: “Anyone who has elderly parents or grandparents knows that going 24 hours on your own is hard enough as it is. When you think that these people are going to go into isolation for the next few months, it’s absolutely hellish.

See also: Farm events rescheduled due to coronavirus

“We have seen other countries, such as Italy and Spain, have been hit hard by the coronavirus. It’s sad to think of what’s about to happen here. This is about bringing the club together and getting people involved – it’s all part of farmers’ values.

“If it costs me a couple of pounds to go to the shop and help elderly or vulnerable people, that’s fine.”

Sam Oatey, Probus YFC chairman (back left), Darcie Dawe, member (front left), Matt Rawlinson, member (middle), Lorna Semmens, member (front right), make a delivery

How the scheme works

Probus YFC has set up a helpline – 07722 591088 – which elderly and vulnerable people can call if they need assistance collecting and delivering urgent supplies, such as food, or other essential household items in the mid-Cornwall area.

Members of the 60-strong YFC team will then drive to the store, collect the paid-for items and deliver them to homes free of charge. All members use their YFC membership cards as proof of identity.

Mr Oatey said the club decided to act after learning that, due to panic buying, some local supermarkets were not taking orders on home deliveries any earlier than three weeks.

The club said it was looking forward to helping support the local community.

Finally, Mr Oatey urged the public to help support farmers by buying local. “British farmers are working very hard to produce enough food and drink for everybody across the country. It’s very important that we support them at this difficult financial time.”

#FeedtheNation

Farmers Weekly is getting behind the #FeedtheNation campaign to back UK farmers working flat out to produce safe, affordable and reliable food to feed the nation during the coronavirus crisis.

With our partners, we are raising public awareness of this campaign by highlighting the actions farmers are taking to get food to consumers.

Join in the campaign by sharing your stories with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #FeedtheNation or email us at philip.case@markallengroup.com or telephone 020 8652 4905.