Nourish Partner with Morrisons to Address Period Poverty

Sophie, Nourish Community Larder Coordinator

27th March 2024

Nourish Partner with Morrisons to Address Period Poverty

Period poverty is not just a problem for developing countries, more and more women in the UK are turning to Food Banks for free menstrual products*.

Almost 140,000 girls in the UK miss school each year due to lack of access to period products**, while women can be excluded from employment opportunities. Many facing period poverty are likely to prioritise spending the little they have on food, heating or menstrual products for dependents.

Chrissie, Morrisons Blandford Community Champion

*Photo: Chrissie Roberts, Community Champion, Morrisons Blandford Forum with one of the donation hampers

In partnership with Nourish, Morrisons in Blandford Forum are responding to this growing problem. This resulted from Morrisons companywide support of International Women’s Day. Chrissie Roberts, Community Champion, explained:

“Morrisons supported International Women’s Day this year by donating period products to local charities. At Morrisons in Blandford we are passionate about partnering with Nourish in order to address period poverty locally.

This year International Women’s Day focused on inclusion – having access to safe, hygienic items ensures that women and girls do not miss out on employment opportunities or fall behind in education.”.

Free sanitary products are readily available at Nourish Community Larder and Food Bank for those who need them. However, this is dependent on donations from the public, when supplies are low, these need to be purchased by the project. Having Morrisons donation means that valuable funds can be saved by Nourish and put towards food and other essential household items instead.

Nourish Food Bank Manager, Gail Del-Pinto said:

“Those that come to us are often coping with desperate circumstances. Our partnership with Morrisons is vital in providing support to the local community.”

Last autumn Nourish officially opened the Community Larder which sells subsidised food and household products for those unable to afford regular supermarket shops. Menstrual products are one item that women do not need to pay for.