Mark joined as FoodCycle CEO in April and we thought now would be a good time to introduce you to him properly, so we asked him some questions about his background, motivations and his vision for FoodCycle.
Every good meal has a story behind it – what’s your career story?
Over the past two decades my career has been focused on building initiatives rooted in local communities, working across charities, businesses and public bodies to develop sustainable models that create lasting social impact.
My first role within food redistribution started at the Company Shop where I helped set up, Community Shop, the UK’s first social supermarket, a new concept that combined surplus food with community-based support and dignity-led services.
Then in 2015 I founded the charity, The Bread and Butter Thing, which has now grown into a network of local and mobile food clubs that provide access to nutritious and affordable food to over 10,000 members every week.
Throughout those years I have also worked with industry groups such as DEFRA and WRAP and have worked on a number of industry and Government initiatives to seek out best practice for reducing and redistributing food surpluses. And, to add to that I was also a FoodCycle trustee for 9 years!
What experiences and values brought you to FoodCycle and our mission of nourishing communities?
I have always had a piece of FoodCycle in my heart. I’m mates with Kelvin, who founded FoodCycle and whilst I didn’t help set it up, we’d talk a lot. I was busy setting up Community Shop at the time but we could both see how serving food to the community goes beyond what’s on the plate. It’s not only the friendships, but also what else it builds on. From those friendships comes community and trust and the relationships we can build with them.
I’ve always been fascinated by this space. And that’s what attracted me to this role because it was a real opportunity that I just couldn’t let pass. I’ve done food redistribution, food waste, community, but what I’ve not done is that hospitality bit of it.
FoodCycle works because it focuses on the bit that really matters, people. The food brings people through the door, but it’s the welcome, the routine, and the conversations that keep them coming back.
Having somewhere predictable, warm and non-judgemental to go can make a huge difference. It doesn’t fix everything, but it creates the space where things can start to feel a bit more manageable.
It’s been a great first few weeks and I’ve really enjoyed getting out to the community meals meeting the guests and the volunteer teams who bring it all to life each week.
We know it’s only been four weeks but have you got any plans or thoughts in place yet, do you plan to stir the pot or keep things on a gentle simmer?
I’m definitely still learning a lot at the moment. I’m trying to absorb as much as I possibly can and really understand how it overlays in this venn diagram of community, resilience and nourishment.
I’m not planning on creating a stir but I am very interested in how we can make community dining, not a necessity or a table of necessity but a table of choice. And that’s all about looking at the service and the welcome and the introduction and the quality of food and all the rest of it.
I’ve been chatting to all of the team, getting out to the community meals, meeting and chatting with guests, understanding their experiences, talking to volunteers.
We know you’ve visited a lot of community meals over the last few weeks, what are some of the things that have stood out to you?
There really is such a warmth at the meals and there are so many people and so many stories and it’s those stories that are sticking with me.
I’ve met a guy who has been to every FoodCycle community meal in London and he gave me the full breakdown of them all!
I met a lady who told me how she met two homeless people at one of the meals and has helped to get them housed.
And I’ve also met a guy who plans his day around visiting community spaces because he feels uncomfortable to go home.
As for meeting volunteers, there have been such wide varieties of people from the communities we serve to young professionals. They’ve all been so enthusiastic and caring, it’s been amazing to hear their stories as to why they come and volunteer.
What I’ve heard is that there are so many reasons why people come to community meals, hunger, loneliness, isolation but what they have all found is a sense of community and a place where they feel welcomed.
So what’s next over the coming months?
I’m planning on getting out to more of the regions, I’ve not made it to the Midlands, East, South or Wales yet so you’ll likely spot me at one of those community meals soon.
I’m also meeting with some of our corporate partners to hear more about the wonderful support they’re providing, from Data for Good days to skills-sharing and volunteer training.
I am always happy to say hi, I love a chat and very open to hearing your feedback, ideas, ways we can work together. Whether you’re a volunteer and have some ideas or a corporate partner wanting to look at how we can work together. You can reach out to me through our contact form.
So let’s finish off with some questions about you…
When you’re at a FoodCycle community meal, are you a cook or a host?
Oh, I’m a host for sure! Definitely, I’m a front of house kind of guy, I love to chat to people, make them feel welcome, get to know them.
Favourite vegetarian dish?
Well, I have been a veggie for nearly 40 years, I don’t actually know the name for it, but its tomatoes roasted in olive oil and balsamic, then you put chopped feta onto that with some Arabiata mixed spice. That’s beautiful.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I’m a keen runner and have signed up to do the Manchester Half Marathon in October for FoodCycle.
I also tend to go everywhere with my dog, Blue. He’s a Rottle (look it up) and he’s a big softy and my best mate.
Other than that, I like to read and am a big horror fan. I like to frequent the local cinema and watch a horror, classic or recent and especially like to go with my mate Justin as he’s a screamer!
