'Disgusted' couple left in tears by poor-quality government-funded food parcels

A couple have spoken of their "disgust" after seeing food packages being sent to the vulnerable during the coronavirus lockdown.

Susan Collins and Tim Maber said they were reduced to tears after seeing the quality of the parcels - which are being distributed for free for those who are unable to do their own shopping.

Susan receives these packages as she has a number of pre-existing health conditions, while Tim cannot risk passing anything on to her.

He closed the therapeutic clinic he runs from their home a week before the lockdown as he had interacted with clients who had recently returned from northern Italy and Poland, Somerset Live reports.

Ever since he has been unable to leave the house to get food - such is his fear of endangering Susan with infection.

After receiving a first package of good quality items, Tim and Susan, who are from  Radstock, said some items in their subsequent government food packages had been extremely poor in quality and the downturn had left them unable to take it any more.

Each package, according to the manufacturers, contains multiple mixed fresh produce and tinned veg, fruit and meat; hygiene items such as soap, toilet roll and shower gel; staples including milk, pasta, bread and rice; tinned goods including tomatoes, beans, tuna and soup; and the following other items:

• Biscuits
• Tea
• Coffee
• Breakfast cereal
• Pasta sauce

The government has said that the exact items may vary depending on stock and availability but any missing item will be replaced of one of the same quality and type.

Tim and Susan said the first package had contained good quality toilet rolls and soap, fresh Granny Smith apples, tinned fruit, carrots, potatoes, good tinned tuna, as well as peas and other vegetables.

However, in the three weeks since they received their first parcel they claimed the quality of some items had declined dramatically.

Some of the problematic items contained in the most recent parcel Tim and Susan received, which was delivered by Brakes Foodservice, included toilet paper that Susan said was "so thin you end up having to use three times what you normally would" and white bread sliced "so thin you can't hold it to eat it because it falls apart", as well as a can of tuna with chilli that was simply described as "terrible".

They also had complaints about a bar of soap Susan described as being about 1.5 inches wide and a can of chicken meatballs in gravy that she said was "so gross I couldn't eat it".

Tim and Susan said they did not want to complain because they knew they were still getting it for free, but felt that vulnerable people who rely on these packages deserved better service in the current circumstances.

Tim said: "As one of the listed vulnerable people entitled to a food parcel, we were very pleased with the first one, but since then they have been really disappointing.

"As it's a handout one doesn't really want to complain but Sue was so disappointed with the last three deliveries that she was in tears."

He added: "It was especially disappointing as the first delivery was of good quality and therefore what she expected to receive after that.

"We appreciate it's free and funded by the government but when they're this poor quality, it just undermines the good intentions they had to offer them to vulnerable people.

"The packing on them is also terrible with more recent parcels, with all the heavier goods placed on top of softer items.

"We have just been so disgusted."

Responding to the criticisms of the packages, the government stated the quality of all boxes was carefully monitored and that while some changes had to be made due to availability of items, all replacements were agreed upon and are of the same quality.

Responding to the criticisms of the packages, the government stated the quality of all boxes was carefully monitored and that while some changes had to be made due to availability of items, all replacements were agreed upon and are of the same quality.

A government spokesperson said: "More than 1.5 million boxes of essential food have now been delivered by wholesalers to those at highest risk across England - with around 290,000 boxes being distributed every week.

"The quality of the boxes and their contents are strictly monitored.

"While brand and product substitutions may be made depending on what is in stock, all boxes are of an equivalent standard and all provide appropriate levels of nutrition for one person for one week."