OIC – Food Fund Information

Island shops are being commended for the incredible service they are providing to support residents during this difficult time. With internal ferry travel restrictions currently in place due to Covid-19, island residents should only undertake essential ferry travel.

This protects island residents and ferry crew from exposure to Covid-19 risk. However, there have been representations from some island residents who consider that this restricts their level of choice within the Government’s guidance which states that people can continue to shop for essentials

.Island shops have increased stock levels, expanded the choice of goods available and introduced local delivery options in response to this unprecedented situation and a funding mechanism has been established by Orkney Islands Council to support island residents to buy goods from these island shops. The money has been secured from the £30m Food Fund established by the Scottish Government, from which the Council has been allocated £99,000.

The Food Fund scheme will see each island household allocated £5 per person, per week (regardless of age), to spend in a shop within their island. Vouchers will be issued, according to the number of individuals residing in each household, for this purpose.

The fund will run for an initial 4 week period and if restrictions go on much longer than that then Orkney Islands Council will look for further funding and it continues to lobby the Scottish Government for additional funding to support our communities.

Democratic Services, Orkney Islands Council, with support from the local Community Council, will administer the fund and staff are currently contacting all the island shops to request their support in the first instance.