A BUSINESS that supplies schools across Chester with milk and morning goods has launched a home delivery service for residents self-isolating during the coronavirus outbreak.

The firm and its schools' services School Milk UK, serves a number of organisations in Chester and normally makes more than 3,000 deliveries per day to local authorities, schools and businesses across the North of England.

Now, it is launching an online booking home and business delivery service to aid people struggling to get to the shops.

Dawn Carney, managing director at Fresh Pastures, said: “In these exceptionally challenging times, we all need to adapt quickly and use whatever resources we have to support each other, whether that’s in providing valuable help and support or thinking innovatively to keep our businesses functioning.

“As schools have closed temporarily, so has 97 per cent of our business. But we still have a robust distribution infrastructure and recognise that we have an opportunity to redistribute our services to offer a vital resource for our communities. In the last few days, we have completely changed our entire operation.

“Our approach to playing our part has three elements. Firstly, we have moved at lightning speed to set up an e-commerce site enabling people at home in Chester to order food directly from us to be delivered to their door. We are increasing deliveries to six days, Monday to Saturday, and are confident we can provide an essential service to those social distancing.

“Secondly, we are working with many local authorities to feed the vulnerable. Whilst schools are closing, many children still need to receive food from local authorities and other services. The children of key workers and those with special needs staying in school will need lunches. We are now offering a packed lunch service to support those children."

Fresh Pastures specialises in dairy and morning goods including milk, bread, butter and cheese, offers a secure supply chain through locally sourced food manufacturers and farms.

For further information visit online at www.freshpastures.co.uk