✿ About
WHAT IS A COMMUNITY FOOD CLUB?
A group of people who pay (where they can) a small amount weekly to receive a share of surplus food each week. The club is run by and for its members on a not-for-profit basis. Members who are able to are asked to help each week. We recognise that some people may not be able to contribute with money or time - this doesn't stop anyone from joining.
CAN I HELP BUT NOT BE A MEMBER?
Yes! When we all act together we can achieve something amazing to support our community and the environment as a whole. If you'd like to help and don't want to receive food then we'd love to hear from you too.
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
According to FareShare 1.9 million tonnes of surplus food is wasted by the food industry every year in the UK and of that 250,000 tonnes is still edible - that’s enough for 650 million meals - we are doing this to make a difference to people and to the planet!
HOW DOES EDIBLE FOOD BECOME CLASSED AS SURPLUS?
Good food that isn’t going to be sold, but which is still in date and edible is called surplus food. It can become this for simple reasons such as over-production, labeling errors or short shelf-life. Surplus food occurs everywhere in the supply chain from field through to fork. This perfectly good in-date food is then sent to landfill, unless it can be intercepted and redistributed.
WHO INTERCEPTS FOOD?
The waste hierarchy calls for food to feed people first and it is a legal requirement for UK companies to operate according to these principles. Food redistribution charities intercept food orders that don’t reach the supermarket shelf and redistribute it to those who need it most through front-line charities and community groups - like this new Allithwaite Community Food Hub!
WHO DISTRIBUTES TO SOUTH LAKELAND?
FareShare is the UKs biggest food redistribution charity, they redistributed over 20,000 tonnes of food last year, saving it all from going to landfill. Local food clubs place a weekly order with them - there are already clubs distributing food from Witherslack, Grange over Sands, Cartmel and Ulverston and there are new clubs opening in Kendal and Flookburgh and now Allithwaite.
WHAT SORT OF FOOD IS IT?
The weekly order is placed with FareShare for chilled and ambient foods by type such as fruit, vegetables, eggs, raw meat, prepared salads, rice/pasta bread or juices. Food received depends on what has been intercepted that week so it may be we get a few different things to our original order request. We ask about dietary requirements so we can try to include some items for everyone, where possible. It's hard to give an exact value to the food you'll receive, but it will be most likely in excess of £10 and has recently been calculated as high as £26.
HOW DOES THE FOOD GET TO ALLITHWAITE?
FareShare deliver the area orders in bulk to the Catholic Church in Grange over Sands between 11 and 11:30 each Monday (except Bank Holidays). Each club then collects their allocation to take to their local sharing centre for sorting and sharing. For Allithwaite this will be taken to St Mary's Church - we will need 2 people to do this collection and delivery each week.
SORTING FOOD
At the same time (11:30) 3-4 people prepare the church - setting out tables and cleaning surfaces. One of the most important jobs here is having someone to put the kettle on - we all need to set the day off well and this is doing it in style! When the food delivery arrives into the church the team works together (after a lovely cuppa) to sort the boxes and crates, counting items to ensure the sharing of food is planned as fairly as possible, with choices where there is not enough of the same thing for everyone. The food is laid out on tables for the next step.
MEMBER FOOD SHARING (see COVID19** for interim changes to this part of the process)
At 1pm all members (or their representatives) meet in the church for about an hour to select their food and take it home. Tea, coffee and biscuits are an important part of this lovely process and we ensure this happens first. Then, numbers are selected from a hat to determine and make fair the order members pick their food, which continues until all the food is shared out. You don’t have to have any food you don’t want – our aim is to ensure that everything is shared fairly and nothing goes to waste. Members need to bring their own bags/box to put their share in.
HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER and HOW MUCH DO I PAY?
You can apply by completing the form HERE (please use the same form if you wish to help but not be a member). We ask members (where they can) to pay £3 weekly (as recommended by Fareshare). If money is an issue that's also fine, we can support you with food without payment. We can also accept donations to support this project for those who wish to help without receiving food.
HOW IS THE MONEY USED?
We have to ensure we have insurance and formal hygiene training as without these we are unable to run the club. Food is ordered from FareShare by number of trays (although it's not all delivered on 'trays') which each cost £1 to the food club. Any surplus funds will go towards expenses for transport, materials such as food bags for sharing loose items, group tea and coffee etc, as well as enabling us to help people in the community identified as in need, and to allocate a share to them as and when it would be appreciated.
HOW DO I PAY?
BACS or a standing order would be preferred and we will provide bank details if you would like to pay this way, or cash paid weekly is fine, as you collect your food, and again it's not a problem if money is an issue, just let us know when you complete your form.
If you have any questions - please don't hesitate to email: allithwaitecommunityfoodhub@gmail.com.
If you'd like to print this info click HERE