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101

Community meals this week

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Abbey Cooks for FoodCycle

  • March 14, 2022

Budding MasterChef, Abbey cooks close to 200 vegetarian recipes whilst raising money for FoodCycle

 

After watching the film, Julie and Julia, 13 year old Abbey decided to take on the challenge of cooking her way through the book, ‘200 veggie feasts’ in 100 days.

She started the challenge at the beginning of lockdown as she had some time on her hands, wanted to do something for charity, and loves to cook.

Grandad, David was so impressed with her efforts, that he offered to make a donation of 50p for every meal that she cooked.

We caught up with Abbey to chat about her challenge and why she chose FoodCycle.

 

Why did you choose to support FoodCycle? 

I chose FoodCycle because I wanted to support a food-related charity, given the theme of my challenge, and especially given the challenges some people are facing in buying food during the coronavirus pandemic. I am a keen cyclist and hate food waste so it seemed the perfect match.

What has been your favourite recipe so far?

I have enjoyed lots of the recipes but have particularly enjoyed the sweet potato and coconut soup; onion, pumpkin and sage pie; pancakes with blueberry sauce; tiramisu cheesecake and the triple chocolate muffins! I didn’t enjoy the lavender and strawberry crush- I think lavender is better in a lavender bag or soap!

 

 

What has been the hardest recipe so far?

It was hard to find wonton wrappers for the mushroom and ginger wontons and for the sweet wonton millefeille. Deep fat frying is not in my comfort zone, so I prefer to get tempura from the takeaway!

Are you hoping to become a cook/chef in the future or is this just a hobby?

I’m not sure! I certainly want to carry on cooking and baking because I love doing it and feeding people, but I am not sure whether I want to pursue it as my career. Maybe I might cook as a volunteer for a charity like FoodCycle in my spare time.

 

 

What are your top cooking tips? 

Leave lavender on the bush!

I like to get all the ingredients out before I start so it is handy and I can make sure I haven’t forgotten anything.

Try to clean up as you go along- boring but much better when you have eaten.

Even really simple dishes can be delicious. The mixed berry sorbet only had 3 ingredients but was yum!

Try everything once as you may be surprised. I was not a big fan of aubergine but have made some tasty recipes with it during the challenge.

 

If those photos are making you hungry, follow Abbey’s progress on Instagram here. And if you feel inspired, why not start your own fundraising challenge to help FoodCycle or get donating here.

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A huge thank you to Jane and her brilliant "Ladies that Picnic" for coming together to support FoodCycle during The Big Lunch 💚

Jane hosted a wonderful afternoon filled with community spirit, delicious vegetarian dishes, a quiz, a raffle and even original artwork for sale, all to raise vital funds for our work.

We’re so grateful to Jane and everyone who came along. Your generosity and creativity help us bring people together over food, one meal at a time.

#TheBigLunch #FoodCycle #CommunitySupport #Wardley #Swinton

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Open post by foodcyclehq with ID 18351310624087623
A huge thank you to Jane and her brilliant "Ladies that Picnic" for coming together to support FoodCycle during The Big Lunch 💚

Jane hosted a wonderful afternoon filled with community spirit, delicious vegetarian dishes, a quiz, a raffle and even original artwork for sale, all to raise vital funds for our work.

We’re so grateful to Jane and everyone who came along. Your generosity and creativity help us bring people together over food, one meal at a time.

#TheBigLunch #FoodCycle #CommunitySupport #Wardley #Swinton

Run for change in 2026

We’ve got two charity places for the iconic London Marathon and they could be yours 👟

Take on one of the world’s most famous races while helping FoodCycle fight food poverty, tackle loneliness and stop good food from going to waste 💚

Think you’ve got what it takes? Tell us why you’d love to run for us by Sunday 6 July.

📝 Apply now via the link in the bio
📌 £100 reg fee
🎯 £2,500 fundraising target

Let’s do something amazing together.

#FoodCycle #LondonMarathon #CharityPlace #RunForCharity

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Open post by foodcyclehq with ID 17857416597451630
Run for change in 2026

We’ve got two charity places for the iconic London Marathon and they could be yours 👟

Take on one of the world’s most famous races while helping FoodCycle fight food poverty, tackle loneliness and stop good food from going to waste 💚

Think you’ve got what it takes? Tell us why you’d love to run for us by Sunday 6 July.

📝 Apply now via the link in the bio
📌 £100 reg fee
🎯 £2,500 fundraising target

Let’s do something amazing together.

#FoodCycle #LondonMarathon #CharityPlace #RunForCharity

50 guests, a buzzing dining room and a whole lot of love in Clacton this week!

The sun was shining, the queue was full of chatter, and the energy inside was just as warm 💚

A huge shout out to newly graduated Project Leader Yvonne, who served up her first official meal made entirely from fresh surplus ingredients and nailed it! 👏

Every guest left with a grocery bag to take home, and Collection PL Chris worked his usual magic, making sure nothing went to waste. Even his chickens were happy with the scraps 🐓

Great food, great people, great Monday. Clacton, you rock!

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Open post by foodcyclehq with ID 18331943779165808
50 guests, a buzzing dining room and a whole lot of love in Clacton this week! 

The sun was shining, the queue was full of chatter, and the energy inside was just as warm 💚

A huge shout out to newly graduated Project Leader Yvonne, who served up her first official meal made entirely from fresh surplus ingredients and nailed it! 👏

Every guest left with a grocery bag to take home, and Collection PL Chris worked his usual magic, making sure nothing went to waste. Even his chickens were happy with the scraps 🐓

Great food, great people, great Monday. Clacton, you rock!

Looking for a feel-good gift that actually makes a difference?

Say hello to the FoodCycle merch range 💚

💚 Tote bags that carry kindness
💚 Tees and aprons that spread good vibes
💚 The perfect pressie for your foodie friend, your hosting hero or just yourself (you deserve it)

Every purchase supports our mission to feed communities, fight food waste and tackle loneliness.

Tap the link in bio to shop and gift with purpose.

#FoodCycle #ToteBag #Apron #GiftIddeas #CharityGift

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Open post by foodcyclehq with ID 18062368280470329
Looking for a feel-good gift that actually makes a difference?

Say hello to the FoodCycle merch range 💚

💚 Tote bags that carry kindness
💚 Tees and aprons that spread good vibes
💚 The perfect pressie for your foodie friend, your hosting hero or just yourself (you deserve it)

Every purchase supports our mission to feed communities, fight food waste and tackle loneliness.

Tap the link in bio to shop and gift with purpose.

#FoodCycle #ToteBag #Apron #GiftIddeas #CharityGift

No fresh food? No problem!

To the store cupboard 😁

You need to watch this and see the incredible meal our volunteers produced with store cupboard ingredients and some epic teamwork :-)

Thanks to the Mitcham team for sharing.

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Open post by foodcyclehq with ID 17916620373031923
No fresh food? No problem! 

To the store cupboard 😁

You need to watch this and see the incredible meal our volunteers produced with store cupboard ingredients and some epic teamwork :-) 

Thanks to the Mitcham team for sharing.

☀️ Sandwiches.
👥 Great company.
🌍 A meaningful cause.

It`s National Picnic Week, and what a brilliant moment to make your Big Lunch a picnic.

Lunch outdoors can bring your friends, family, or work team together, boost morale, and raise vital funds to help FoodCycle tackle food waste, hunger, and loneliness.

Keep it simple. Make it count.

Start planning via the link in the bio.

#NationalPicnicWeek

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Open post by foodcyclehq with ID 17863421700422008
☀️ Sandwiches.
👥 Great company.
🌍 A meaningful cause.

It's National Picnic Week, and what a brilliant moment to make your Big Lunch a picnic.

Lunch outdoors can bring your friends, family, or work team together, boost morale, and raise vital funds to help FoodCycle tackle food waste, hunger, and loneliness.

Keep it simple. Make it count.

Start planning via the link in the bio. 

#NationalPicnicWeek

This Loneliness Awareness Week, we’re proud to be part of something that brings people together 💚

At FoodCycle, no one eats alone. Our community meals offer food, conversation and connection because we know a friendly face and a warm plate can go a long way.

🌱 83% of guests feel happier after a meal
🤝 78% feel less lonely
🏘️ 83% feel more part of their community

A shared meal can mean so much more than just food.
It can be friendship.
Support.
A reason to smile.

Let`s tackle loneliness and food waste together.

#LonelinessAwarenessWeek #Community #BetterTogether

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Open post by foodcyclehq with ID 18067938281066591
This Loneliness Awareness Week, we’re proud to be part of something that brings people together 💚

At FoodCycle, no one eats alone. Our community meals offer food, conversation and connection because we know a friendly face and a warm plate can go a long way.

🌱 83% of guests feel happier after a meal
🤝 78% feel less lonely
🏘️ 83% feel more part of their community

A shared meal can mean so much more than just food.
It can be friendship.
Support.
A reason to smile.

Let's tackle loneliness and food waste together. 

#LonelinessAwarenessWeek #Community #BetterTogether

The Big Lunch is in full swing and we’re loving your ideas! 💚

🍽️ Francisca in Manchester brought her colleagues together for a team lunch
🥪 James in Leicester used food donations to serve up a community spread
☀️ And Jane’s hosting a lovely ladies’ picnic, with a suggested £5 donation for guests

There’s still time to join in and your lunch can be as simple as a few friends, a shared bite to eat, and a small donation to our fundraising page.

It is a perfect excuse to catch up and support a brilliant cause 🙌

More information is on the link in the bio and don`t forget to tag us in your event photos.

#TheBigLunch #Lunch #FoodCycle #Community

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Open post by foodcyclehq with ID 18038519648330111
The Big Lunch is in full swing and we’re loving your ideas! 💚

🍽️ Francisca in Manchester brought her colleagues together for a team lunch
🥪 James in Leicester used food donations to serve up a community spread
☀️ And Jane’s hosting a lovely ladies’ picnic, with a suggested £5 donation for guests

There’s still time to join in and your lunch can be as simple as a few friends, a shared bite to eat, and a small donation to our fundraising page.

It is a perfect excuse to catch up and support a brilliant cause 🙌

More information is on the link in the bio and don't forget to tag us in your event photos.

#TheBigLunch #Lunch #FoodCycle #Community

"I can go for days without talking to anyone. Living on my own put my mental health low… but FoodCycle has changed that."

This Loneliness Awareness Week, we’re sharing just how powerful food and friendship can be.

When guests join us for a community meal, they’re not just receiving a plate of food, they’re being welcomed into a space filled with kindness and connection.

💬 We’re proud that 78% of our guests say they feel less lonely
💚 And 83% feel happier after a meal

No one should have to face loneliness alone.

#LonelinessAwarenessWeek

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Open post by foodcyclehq with ID 18112845742491506
"I can go for days without talking to anyone. Living on my own put my mental health low… but FoodCycle has changed that."

This Loneliness Awareness Week, we’re sharing just how powerful food and friendship can be.

When guests join us for a community meal, they’re not just receiving a plate of food, they’re being welcomed into a space filled with kindness and connection.

💬 We’re proud that 78% of our guests say they feel less lonely
💚 And 83% feel happier after a meal

No one should have to face loneliness alone.

#LonelinessAwarenessWeek

Eric ran a marathon in full clown costume. And we couldn’t be prouder.

Recently, Eric, who is a valued member of our hosting team at FoodCycle Wembley, completed the Edinburgh Marathon to raise funds for FoodCycle 💚

His reason?

"I’ve experienced food scarcity multiple times... That’s why, when I have the time and stability, I see it not just as a privilege but as a responsibility to support charities like FoodCycle."

Eric, we’re so grateful for your dedication, your humour and your commitment to helping others...even if you really hate running 🏃‍♂️🤣

Clown costume or not, you’re an absolute hero to us!

#EdinburghMarathon #Fundraising #Running #FoodCycle

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Open post by foodcyclehq with ID 17948632220986277
Eric ran a marathon in full clown costume. And we couldn’t be prouder.

Recently, Eric, who is a valued member of our hosting team at FoodCycle Wembley, completed the Edinburgh Marathon to raise funds for FoodCycle 💚

His reason?

"I’ve experienced food scarcity multiple times... That’s why, when I have the time and stability, I see it not just as a privilege but as a responsibility to support charities like FoodCycle."

Eric, we’re so grateful for your dedication, your humour and your commitment to helping others...even if you really hate running 🏃‍♂️🤣

Clown costume or not, you’re an absolute hero to us!

#EdinburghMarathon #Fundraising #Running #FoodCycle
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FoodCycle Head Office

  • 2.16, The Food Exchange
    New Covent Garden Market
    London, SW8 5EL
  • t: 020 7729 2775
  • e: [email protected]

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© FoodCycle 2022

Registered charity No. 1134423
Company limited by guarantee no. 7101349

Website by me&you