Hunt’s Food Group Community Fund

Major food distributor and wholesaler Hunt’s Food Group, based in Sherborne with several sites across Somerset, partnered with Somerset Community Foundation and Dorset Community Foundation to launch the Hunt’s Food Group Community Fund. Their Fund builds on the company’s longstanding commitment to supporting local communities and charities. It’s guided by 3 strategic themes to help meet local need: relieving poverty and disadvantage, improving mental health and wellbeing, and investing in the next generation. 

The Fund has awarded £130,000 of grants – supporting 5 charities across Somerset and Dorset in communities where the company’s staff live and work with 3-year grants. These long-term grants will help the charities plan for the future and invest in their core running costs, supporting them to continue their fantastic work. 

Laura Blake, Philanthropy Director at Somerset Community Foundation, said: “We’re thrilled to have worked in partnership with the firm to create the Hunt’s Food Group Community Fund. They are truly leading the way in terms of their generous commitment to local communities, making significant financial investment in small, local charities and committing to long-term, flexible funding. We know just how much this means to the five charities benefiting from these first grants, who are fighting for funding during these tough times.” 

Five people smiling at the camera

Staff from Somerset Community Foundation and Hunt’s Food Group visited Westfield Community Centre recently.
Pictured, left to right: Steve Hart, Chair of St Peter’s Community Centre; Laura Blake, Philanthropy Director at Somerset Community Foundation; Karina Quayle, Head of HR at Hunt’s Food Group; Marie Rice, Centre Manager at St Peter’s Community Centre; Richard Hunt, Chairman at Hunt’s Food Group.

Richard Hunt, Chairman at Hunt’s Food Group, added: “We have a ‘support local’ focus here at Hunt’s Food Group. We’ve over 100 years of history in our local community and hope to continue this for another 100 years by providing employment, supporting local producers and giving back to communities. 

“We’re delighted to have established the Hunt’s Food Group Community Fund in partnership with Somerset Community Foundation to provide long-term, strategic funding for vital local charities who work tirelessly to change lives where we live and work. We’re very proud to have recently gained our B-Corp accreditation. The Fund is part of our commitment to using our resources to benefit our wider communities, not just our shareholders.” 

Marie Rice, Centre Manager at St Peter’s Community Centre in Yeovil, who received a grant for £26,250 from the Fund, said: “Our plan is to continue with our ‘warm space’ offer. We want to keep reaching new people as well as supporting our regular community users. 

“We’re so grateful for this grant. It means we’re able to continue offering hot and cold food menus to our local community 4 times a week and support our new project, the Westfield Community Pantry. And the longer-term nature of the funding means that we won’t have to worry about the staffing costs for the cook’s position – it’s safe for the next 3 years.” 

Impact Story details

Location:County-wide
Theme:Mental & Physical Wellbeing

Funding Programme:Hunt’s Food Group Community Fund