FWD petition implores government to provide wholesale support

FWD has launched a petition pleading government to grant food and drink wholesalers with bespoke financial support.

The petition is the latest in the federation’s attempts to make the wholesale industry’s voice heard for Covid-19 support, as previous calls have been ignored for sector-specific support.

But as the UK approaches 12 months since the first national lockdown due to coronavirus was enforced, the need for financial aid is getting greater – with FWD warning crucial public services will suffer without it.

There’s also the growing threat that foodservice wholesalers won’t have enough cashflow to support the hospital industry when it reopens in the coming months.

“In a few weeks’ time the government is going to ask the UK’s foodservice wholesalers to reopen the hospitality sector,” said FWD Chief Executive James Bielby.

“It will need them to stock up in advance so that restaurants, pubs, cafes and leisure facilities can come out of hibernation and revive the out-of-home economy. But that won’t be possible unless the Treasury invests in food distribution.

“Having had no government support through nearly a year of lockdowns and restrictions, and having traded at a loss all that time to supply hospitals, care homes and schools, these wholesalers have no money left and some are on the brink of collapse.

“With no cash or credit insurance, they can’t buy the food the government wants them to distribute or provide the service and support their customers will need as they return.

“There’s no way back for hospitality without its wholesalers, and there’s no hospitality wholesalers without immediate support.”

Lend your support to FWD’s petition by signing it at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/574623

coronavirus covid-19 Foodservice FWD hospitality petition wholesaler