A food hub in Buckinghamshire has become the first in the country to pledge support for veterans and armed forces personnel struggling amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Sarah Sturt, general manager of the Wycombe Food Hub, a non-profit store that collects surplus produce from supermarkets to distribute among in-need communities, said that while the organisation is happy to meet the needs of groups impacted by food poverty, the growing demand for aid is concerning.

"We've already been helping veterans in the High Wycombe area through our community fridge, which provides free food for homeless people and those who have nothing.

"When I'm not working at the food hub, I'm a volunteer county secretary at the Royal British Legion in Buckinghamshire so I'm very aware of veteran poverty.

"Part of the problem is that people in the armed forces have to serve for 17 years to receive a full pension - if they leave before that, they only get a state pension which makes a significant difference."

The Amred Forces Covenant pledge signed by Wycombe Food Bank on Monday, June 12 means that veterans and army personnel are guaranteed employment opportunities and access to food through the organisation. 

Sarah said it was a positive step forward because of the support it provided for service men and veterans who need support but do not qualify for Buckinghamshire Council's statutory referral scheme, which assess on a means tested basis whether someone should be given access to a foodbank.

"I've heard stories of veterans who are earning just 10p above the threshold they would need to qualify for statutory referral and they're really struggling, especially with the high cost of living and prices of electrics and gas.

"Some ex-service men have PTSD or physical disabilities, too, which can make it even harder for them to access the basics."

The covenant pledge also extends to men and women currently employed in the armed service. Sarah cites the recent opening of the first ever foodbank at an RAF base, in Coningsby, Lincolnshire, as evidence that it's not just veterans who are struggling. 

"It's clear that food poverty is really affecting people across the armed forces, and it's something I don't think most people are aware of.

"I hope our decision to support armed forces members by signing this pledge will bring attention to these issues which are affecting people across the country."

The Royal British Legion estimates that between 2% and 5% of homeless people in England have a background in the armed forces, though the charity has expressed concern that the data collection methods use risk rendering some homeless veterans "invisible".

In December 2022, the government announced plans to support army veterans struggling with homelessness by allocating over £8.5 million to over 900 housing units across the UK.

Speaking at the time, Minister for Veterans' Affairs Johnny Mercer said: "No one, not least those who have served this country, should be homeless."