Food retailers and ferry companies are reassuring us that  they are working together to make sure that shelves in our stores stay well stocked.

The Food Forum, which represents Waitrose Guernsey, Alliance, Sandpiper CI, Creasey’s (Marks and Spencer), the Channel Islands Co-operative Society, Condor Ferries, Alderney Shipping, Channel Seaways and Ferryspeed, say there continues to be enough food and essential items for us all and that they're taking steps so we can be sure that doesn’t change

The group says it's working very closely with suppliers, each other and the States of Guernsey to ensure that food and essential goods keep arriving and that shelves in our stores stay well stocked.

They are working together to make sure trucks and ships keep moving in and out of our ports.

There are two Load on, Load off (‘Lo Lo’) ships and two Roll on, Roll off (Ro Ro) ships, operated by Ferryspeed, Alderney shipping and Condor Ferries, specifically dedicated to providing ‘freight-only’ services for the Islands.

They are looking at securing additional freight capacity if needed. Many of the trailers and containers full of goods that arrive, are carefully collected and handled day and night by the team at Ferryspeed and Channel Seaways and delivered across stores just hours after they have been ordered.

They're asking us to help them and and each other by being considerate in the way we shop.

The group says there has recently been unprecedented demand across the supply chain network, but there is more than enough for everyone, if we all work together. 

The group says it understands islanders' concerns, but buying more than is needed can sometimes mean that others are left without. It also puts pressure on other customers who feel they need to buy more than they really need.

They are urging the community to look out for family, friends and neighbours and everyone across the Islands and  care for those around us who are elderly, vulnerable or choosing to remain at home. We’ve all seen a lot of community spirit lately, and it’s inspiring, but let’s keep our community in mind as we shop too.

Steve Champion-Smith, Executive Director  at Condor Ferries says: “On behalf of all the companies we would like to say a huge thank to all colleagues across our supply chain network, our stores, the ships crews, the truck drivers and all those colleagues who are working tirelessly day and night to keep our Islands fed.”