Wok&Go owner continues fight against food poverty in North West

The owner of Wok&Go and new Liverpool restaurant Dough Dough has made a further commitment to tackling food poverty in the area, with a generous donation to The Port Grocery.

Des Pheby, of Pheby Food Concepts Ltd. which owns Wok&Go, added £2,000 worth of food vouchers to the scheme from his Asian noodle bar franchise, having made the same donation a number of times in the past year, totaling £8,000.  

The community-run food club The Port Grocery is based at Trinity Church on Whitby Road, directly opposite the Ellesmere Port Wok&Go outlet. Mr Pheby says he hopes the donation will help support local people:

“With the closure of schools, poor weather and a third lockdown, we’re well aware as a business that times are hard for those up and down the country. So we’re pleased to make a further donation to The Port Grocery in the hope it will strengthen the incredible work they do to tackle food waste and poverty in our area, and the real difference they make to people’s lives.”

While for many hospitality businesses the past year has been dire, the brands under the Pheby Food Concepts Ltd. umbrella have weathered the Covid-19 storm well; thanks to take-out options already being in place, the diversification of their offering, expansion into the Middle East and supporting fellow hospitality businesses with their ‘ghost kitchen’ concept.

“We understand that putting food on the table is a genuine concern for many at the moment. Our support for The Port Grocery is our small way of giving back to the local community and we would encourage other local businesses to do the same if, like us, they are able to,” said Shaun Jones, Pheby Food Concepts Ltd. Business Development Manager.

The Port Grocery is open for anyone in the community to join and there is no eligibility criteria. In practical terms, members pay £5 a week and receive around £16 – £20 worth of food in return.

“We are in unprecedented times and unchartered waters,” said Rita Lewis, founder of The Port Grocery. “People are coming together to help and protect each other. This amazing offer from Wok&Go demonstrates how businesses want to help our community. For some people, going for a Wok&Go is a luxury or a treat. Wok&Go has now made this available to many of our members who are feeling the pinch with furlough and job losses. It couldn’t have come at a better time to lift the spirits of our members.”

Last year Wok&Go offered free food for children during the half term holidays, and in conjunction with sister brand Dough Dough, gave out 1,000 free meals to key workers at the Countess of Chester Hospital.