Local MP Calls for Action on Food Poverty During Visit to Resurrected Bites

Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, visited Gracious Street Methodist Church in Knaresborough on Friday to meet the team at Resurrected Bites during their café and community grocery session – showing his support for local efforts to tackle food poverty and speaking out against government policies that continue to harm the most vulnerable.

Resurrected Bites runs community cafés and affordable groceries in Harrogate and Knaresborough, turning surplus food from local businesses and supermarkets into affordable meals and grocery items. Their cafés are open to everyone and aim not only to tackle food waste but also to reduce loneliness by creating welcoming spaces where people can connect over food. While they do support those experiencing food insecurity, many visitors come simply for the community atmosphere or to enjoy a good meal. Alongside their cafés and groceries, they also offer budgeting advice, work clubs, and cookery classes to help people build skills and confidence.

During his visit, Tom spoke with volunteers and local families about the rising demand for food support. While praising the organisation’s vital work, he expressed concern over the Labour Government’s policies – such as the failure to lift the two-child benefit cap, a significant contributor to child poverty, and ongoing welfare cuts – that risk pushing more people into hardship.

Tom has consistently spoken out against these damaging policies, voting against cuts to benefits, raising concerns in Parliament, and working with disability rights organisations and anti-poverty charities to campaign for a more compassionate, effective welfare system. He remains committed to challenging these policies and standing up for those hit hardest, while supporting the organisations providing vital support. 

Commenting, Tom said: 

‘Services like Resurrected Bites are doing fantastic work to support those in need – but they shouldn’t be left to fill the gap created by a government failing in its duty to protect the most vulnerable.

‘Food insecurity is growing, and it’ll only worsen if the Government pushes ahead with harmful welfare cuts.

‘This isn’t the fair, simple system promised. It punishes those already struggling. We need a welfare system built on dignity, security, and compassion – not one forcing people to rely on charity for food.’ 

Michelle, CEO of Resurrected Bites added: 

“It was a real lift to the team to spend time with Tom who is clearly passionate about addressing the same issues that we are looking to meet around food insecurity, loneliness and food waste. 

“He is very strategic and had some excellent ideas of how he can potentially help us to intercept more food surplus and ways to help us to access funds which will enable us to feed more people through our cafes and groceries.”

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