Skip to content

Volunteer Login

Volunteer
Donate
  • Donate
  • About us
    • Who We Are
    • FoodCycle’s Impact
    • What is a FoodCycle Community Meal?
    • Schools Community Meals
    • Supporters and Partners
    • Meet Our Guests and Volunteers
    • Staff and Trustee Team
    • Patrons and Ambassadors
    • Reports and publications
  • Find a Meal
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Roles
    • Equal opportunities
  • Support Us
    • Corporate Support
    • Corporate Team Cooking Challenge
    • Challenge Events
    • Fundraise
    • The Big Lunch
    • FoodCycle Lottery
    • Trusts and Major Gifts
    • Donate Food
    • Donate
  • Shop
  • Recipes
  • News
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • About us
    • Who We Are
    • FoodCycle’s Impact
    • What is a FoodCycle Community Meal?
    • Schools Community Meals
    • Supporters and Partners
    • Meet Our Guests and Volunteers
    • Staff and Trustee Team
    • Patrons and Ambassadors
    • Reports and publications
  • Find a Meal
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Roles
    • Equal opportunities
  • Support Us
    • Corporate Support
    • Corporate Team Cooking Challenge
    • Challenge Events
    • Fundraise
    • The Big Lunch
    • FoodCycle Lottery
    • Trusts and Major Gifts
    • Donate Food
    • Donate
  • Shop
  • Recipes
  • News
  • Contact Us

Find a community meal

Find a meal

#BlackLivesMatter

  • March 14, 2022

In June we posted the below blog post in response to #blacklivesmatter.  Since then we have been working on the points that we outlined and as promised, below you will find where we are, with each of them.

Review and update our equality and diversity policy.

  • This is still under review and we will be looking to work with someone who specialises in this area.  We want to make sure that it is properly embedded and shared throughout the organisation.

Have conversations and conduct surveys to understand in more detail, the diversity across our volunteers and guests.

  • In a recent survey, we asked our volunteers if they thought FoodCycle guests and volunteers represented the diversity of their local community, 66% answered yes. This was from a survey of 239 volunteers across the country (chart below).
  • We will be conducting a guest survey in the next few months and we will be using this to understand, in more detail, the diversity of the people that we support.
  • When volunteers first register, we ask them to provide information on their ethnicity/race.  We reviewed these responses and compared them to national statistics. We are pleased to report that the diversity of FoodCycle volunteers is much higher than the national average and we will be continuing to monitor this and ensure that we do all we can to keep it this way.

Find new ways to ensure that people from minority backgrounds are represented across the charity (employees, trustees, volunteers and guests).

  • This is ongoing and something that we hope our working group will help and support us with.

Seek advice and guidance from charities and organisations working in this area and members of the BAME community, to help us address and drive change and look at how we can set up a BAME working group to support us longer term.

  • We have been in touch with a number of people and charities that are working in this area and we will continue to seek support and advice where needed.  We are also in the process of inviting people to join our equality, diversity and inclusion working group, please see more information on this below.

Compile and share a list of resources and links with staff and volunteers to support them in educating themselves on the subject.

  • This is something that we still need to develop and will enlist the help from the members of our new working group.

Share our learnings along the way, recognising that we will not always get things right, but we will listen and work to continually improve.

  • We will share our next update in January 2021

 

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION WORKING GROUP

Can you help us continue to improve and develop in this area? We are looking for people from various backgrounds to join our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion working group.  We want a range of different people to reflect the diversity of the people and communities that we support. We would ideally want to ensure that we have representatives to cover the following areas:

  • Individuals who identify as PoC/ BAME
  • Individuals identifying as LGBTQ+
  • Individuals who have lived experience of loneliness, poverty (food or other), low income, and/or mental health.
  • Individuals who identify as having a disability

 

The group will meet (virtually), a couple of times a year to discuss topics such as how we as FoodCycle can continue to support diversity in our organisation. We want to truly reflect the communities that we are serving in, and make sure that we feel open and welcoming to all those who would like to get involved.  We are looking for ideas, and discussion on how we can improve our internal structures to be even more inclusive and open, and finally how is best to share and highlight these improvements and changes within FoodCycle and also with other organsations that we work with.

If you would like to join our working group, please email us on [email protected]

 

 

Blog Post from 11th June

At FoodCycle we bring communities together by providing a safe and friendly environment, where everyone is greeted with a big smile.  We strive for a society where no one is hungry or lonely and take pride in welcoming people from all backgrounds and walks of life, 85% of guests said that they had met people from different backgrounds at a FoodCycle meal.

We want employees, volunteers, trustees, supporters, guests and beneficiaries to feel valued, regardless of their race, background, religion, or circumstance.

Like many, recent events have made us stop and consider the changes that society can make to ensure we live in a world free from racism, and we want to constructively engage in the fight against it and help create change.

We want to work harder within our organisation to help stamp out racial prejudice and we want to support our staff and volunteers and encourage them to do the same.

We recognise that we are not alone in the charity sector in facing a lack of diversity amongst our employees, and we will take a lead to address that.

In particular, our senior management team and trustees will take concrete action to ensure the charity, as a whole, reflects diversity.

We have agreed that we will:

  • Review and update our equality and diversity policy
  • Have conversations and conduct surveys to understand in more detail, the diversity across our volunteers and guests
  • Find new ways to ensure that people from minority backgrounds are represented across the charity (employees, trustees, volunteers and guests)
  • Seek advice and guidance from charities and organisations working in this area and members of the BAME community, to help us address and drive change and look at how we can set up a BAME working group to support us longer term
  • Compile and share a list of resources and links with staff and volunteers to support them in educating themselves on the subject
  • Share our learnings along the way, recognising that we will not always get things right, but we will listen and work to continually improve

We will share another update on the above points in September.

If you have any concerns, suggestions or ideas on ways that we can make sure we are doing everything we can, or if you have any links or recommendations for our list of resources, then please email [email protected]

Related News

First Ever FoodCycle London Marathon Runners

Meet the First Ever FoodCycle London Marathon Runners! 🍊👟

For the very first time, FoodCycle has charity places in the iconic TCS London Marathon – and we’re over the moon to introduce the two brilliant runners taking on the...
View Article >
Minister for Food Security Daniel Zeichner visiting a FoodCycle community meal in Cambridge, engaging with volunteers and guests.

Time to Get Things Cooking: Why the UK Food Strategy is Important and How FoodCycle Community Meals Can Help

“The ‘Good Food Cycle’ strategy is a welcome start  - but like any good recipe, it needs testing, tasting, and tweaking.” FoodCycle CEO Sophie Tebbetts    A National Recipe for...
View Article >
FoodCycle volunteer Ashliegh

Thinking of fundraising for FoodCycle? Here’s how one volunteer raised £3,000 — plus some tips to help you!

Meet Ashliegh, a dedicated volunteer who raised an amazing £3,000 for FoodCycle.  From hosting a bring-and-share lunch in her workplace, to a quiz night and an afternoon tea, Ashliegh got...
View Article >

Stay connected

Subscribe to get the latest news, volunteering opportunities, events and updates sent to your inbox each month. You can unsubscribe at any time.

This field is hidden when viewing the form
Untitled

See our privacy policy for more information on how we use your information.

Follow us on Instagram

Say hello to Meiling & Linda, the two amazing runners representing FoodCycle in the 2026 London Marathon!

🧡 Meiling is a seasoned marathon runner and Milton Keynes volunteer
💚 Linda is taking on her very first 26.2 miles after supporting us through her workplace

Both are passionate about raising funds to fight food waste, food poverty and loneliness, and we’re so excited to have them on Team FoodCycle!

Over the next year, we’ll be cheering them on and sharing updates as they train, fundraise and take on this iconic challenge.

💬 Drop them a good luck message below
📣 Follow for updates
🫛 Feeling inspired? Take on your own challenge for FoodCycle!

#LondonMarathon2026 #TeamFoodCycle #MarathonTraining #CharityChallenge

8 0
Open post by foodcyclehq with ID 17912425917053678
Say hello to Meiling & Linda, the two amazing runners representing FoodCycle in the 2026 London Marathon!

🧡 Meiling is a seasoned marathon runner and Milton Keynes volunteer
💚 Linda is taking on her very first 26.2 miles after supporting us through her workplace

Both are passionate about raising funds to fight food waste, food poverty and loneliness, and we’re so excited to have them on Team FoodCycle!

Over the next year, we’ll be cheering them on and sharing updates as they train, fundraise and take on this iconic challenge.

💬 Drop them a good luck message below
📣 Follow for updates
🫛 Feeling inspired? Take on your own challenge for FoodCycle! 

#LondonMarathon2026 #TeamFoodCycle #MarathonTraining #CharityChallenge

Huge congratulations to Carly and her brother Liam, who took on a 2km open water swim at Rutland Water to raise funds for FoodCycle and smashed it! (We think there was a little bit of sibling rivalry at play)

We’re incredibly proud of Carly, who lives and breathes FoodCycle in every way. She’s been part of our team for 5 years and knows just how powerful our meals can be. For some, it’s the only cooked meal they’ll have that week, and the only chance to connect with others.

This swim, taken in memory of their dad, has raised over £1,200 to help tackle food waste, food poverty and loneliness.

👏 Well done Carly and Liam
👏 Thank you to everyone who has donated so far
💚 Every penny makes a difference

If you`re planning a fundraising event for FoodCycle, we`d love to hear about it!

#foodcycle #rutlandwater #Swimming #communitymeal #fightfoodwaste #sustainable #fundraising #justgiving

42 0
Open post by foodcyclehq with ID 17941728006030016
Huge congratulations to Carly and her brother Liam, who took on a 2km open water swim at Rutland Water to raise funds for FoodCycle and smashed it! (We think there was a little bit of sibling rivalry at play)

We’re incredibly proud of Carly, who lives and breathes FoodCycle in every way. She’s been part of our team for 5 years and knows just how powerful our meals can be. For some, it’s the only cooked meal they’ll have that week, and the only chance to connect with others.

This swim, taken in memory of their dad, has raised over £1,200 to help tackle food waste, food poverty and loneliness.

👏 Well done Carly and Liam
👏 Thank you to everyone who has donated so far
💚 Every penny makes a difference

If you're planning a fundraising event for FoodCycle, we'd love to hear about it! 

#foodcycle #rutlandwater #Swimming #communitymeal #fightfoodwaste #sustainable #fundraising #justgiving

Leftover courgettes languishing in the fridge?

Try this no-waste courgette recipe for your next BBQ.

Get the full recipe in the bio.

#Courgette #CourgetteDip #DipRecipe

7 0
Open post by foodcyclehq with ID 18065750593951299
Leftover courgettes languishing in the fridge?

Try this no-waste courgette recipe for your next BBQ. 

Get the full recipe in the bio. 

#Courgette #CourgetteDip #DipRecipe

Serving food, saving waste, and spreading kindness 🫛❤️

This summer, we need more amazing people like Sue to help us cook, serve and connect with communities across the country.

Whether you`re a kitchen whizz or just keen to lend a hand, every session makes a difference.

Join us for a summer full of purpose, people and peas.

Sign up to volunteer today.

#summervolunteers #volunteering #fightfoodwaste

27 1
Open post by foodcyclehq with ID 18538204495032504
Serving food, saving waste, and spreading kindness 🫛❤️

This summer, we need more amazing people like Sue to help us cook, serve and connect with communities across the country.

Whether you're a kitchen whizz or just keen to lend a hand, every session makes a difference.

Join us for a summer full of purpose, people and peas.

Sign up to volunteer today.

#summervolunteers #volunteering #fightfoodwaste

Make courgettes the star of the show 🌟

What would you dip in this?

Maybe some 🥕
or some sticks of 🥒

Tell us below!
-----------------
Ingredients

500g Greek yoghurt
1 courgette(s) (boiled and cooled)
1 garlic clove(s) (crushed)
1 bunch(es) of fresh dill (chopped)
0.5 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp red wine vinegar
1 handful(s) of olives
1 tsp olive oil

Method
Mix the yoghurt, courgette (finely chopped), garlic, dill, oregano and red wine vinegar together in a bowl.

Make a dip with the back of the spoon in the middle of the bowl and fill with olive oil.

Garnish with olives if you’ve got them to hand.

Serve with flatbreads/pitta bread.

#Tzatziki #courgette #courgetterecipe #partydip #diprecipe #homemadedip

7 0
Open post by foodcyclehq with ID 18161559001365026
Make courgettes the star of the show 🌟

What would you dip in this?

Maybe some 🥕
or some sticks of 🥒

Tell us below! 
-----------------
Ingredients

500g Greek yoghurt
1 courgette(s) (boiled and cooled)
1 garlic clove(s) (crushed)
1 bunch(es) of fresh dill (chopped)
0.5 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp red wine vinegar
1 handful(s) of olives
1 tsp olive oil

Method
Mix the yoghurt, courgette (finely chopped), garlic, dill, oregano and red wine vinegar together in a bowl.

Make a dip with the back of the spoon in the middle of the bowl and fill with olive oil.

Garnish with olives if you’ve got them to hand.

Serve with flatbreads/pitta bread.

#Tzatziki #courgette #courgetterecipe #partydip #diprecipe #homemadedip

Meet Nathan, a cooking volunteer at FoodCycle Hucknall and Broxtowe-Aspley in Nottinghamshire.

At 44, Nathan was looking to shake off the routine of work and do something more fulfilling with his time. He joined FoodCycle to give back, but found much more than he expected – growing in confidence, building new skills and rediscovering his passion for cooking.

Volunteering has even inspired a new career, as Nathan recently became a volunteer co-ordinator for his local council.

We love hearing how FoodCycle makes a difference not just for guests, but for our incredible volunteers too.

Join us and make a real difference in your community.

#Nottingham #community #communitymeal #freemeal #volunteering #Hucknall #BroxtoweAspley

32 0
Open post by foodcyclehq with ID 18071034962025117
Meet Nathan, a cooking volunteer at FoodCycle Hucknall and Broxtowe-Aspley in Nottinghamshire.

At 44, Nathan was looking to shake off the routine of work and do something more fulfilling with his time. He joined FoodCycle to give back, but found much more than he expected – growing in confidence, building new skills and rediscovering his passion for cooking.

Volunteering has even inspired a new career, as Nathan recently became a volunteer co-ordinator for his local council.

We love hearing how FoodCycle makes a difference not just for guests, but for our incredible volunteers too.

Join us and make a real difference in your community.

#Nottingham #community #communitymeal #freemeal #volunteering #Hucknall #BroxtoweAspley

Halfway there, Harry! 🏃‍♂️🔥

Huge shoutout to Harry Barham who recently completed his 5th half marathon in his epic challenge to run 10 half marathons in support of FoodCycle and FareShare North East – that’s 131 miles in total!

His most recent run was a scorcher, but Harry powered through with determination and a whole lot of heart.

He’s running to help tackle food waste, food poverty and support stronger communities and he’s already halfway to the finish line.

Let’s cheer him on and help him hit that fundraising goal 💚
Donate here at giveasyoulive.com and search "harry runs 25"

#HarryRuns25 #fundraising #halfmarathon #foodcycle #communitymeals

36 0
Open post by foodcyclehq with ID 17894630658147165
Halfway there, Harry! 🏃‍♂️🔥

Huge shoutout to Harry Barham who recently completed his 5th half marathon in his epic challenge to run 10 half marathons in support of FoodCycle and FareShare North East – that’s 131 miles in total!

His most recent run was a scorcher, but Harry powered through with determination and a whole lot of heart.

He’s running to help tackle food waste, food poverty and support stronger communities and he’s already halfway to the finish line.

Let’s cheer him on and help him hit that fundraising goal 💚
Donate here at giveasyoulive.com and search "harry runs 25"

#HarryRuns25 #fundraising #halfmarathon #foodcycle #communitymeals

FoodCycle has given me a great sense of purpose.” 💚

Meet Rosie, a 73-year-old volunteer from Worcester who joined FoodCycle to give back in her retirement, and found so much more.

From building confidence in the kitchen to making new friends, Rosie says volunteering has become a meaningful and joyful part of her week.

“I really enjoy every session. I can’t always go weekly, but FoodCycle is so flexible – you just sign up when you can. I tell everyone I know about it!”

Thank you, Rosie, for being such a valued part of the FoodCycle family.

Head to the link in the bio to join us.

#summervolunteers #foodcycle #communitymeal #fightfoodwaste #volunteering #worcester

17 0
Open post by foodcyclehq with ID 18051650228614992
FoodCycle has given me a great sense of purpose.” 💚

Meet Rosie, a 73-year-old volunteer from Worcester who joined FoodCycle to give back in her retirement, and found so much more.

From building confidence in the kitchen to making new friends, Rosie says volunteering has become a meaningful and joyful part of her week.

“I really enjoy every session. I can’t always go weekly, but FoodCycle is so flexible – you just sign up when you can. I tell everyone I know about it!”

Thank you, Rosie, for being such a valued part of the FoodCycle family.

Head to the link in the bio to join us.

#summervolunteers #foodcycle #communitymeal #fightfoodwaste #volunteering #worcester

Friendships that go beyond the kitchen 💚

We absolutely loved seeing this update from our brilliant Clacton volunteers, who spent a sunny evening in Frinton enjoying a walking quiz, fish and chips, and plenty of laughs!

Sixteen of the team came together for a bit of friendly competition and fun, followed by a delicious beach hut supper and lots of chat about FoodCycle with curious passers-by.

Moments like these show just how strong the sense of community is among our volunteers. It’s more than just cooking and serving meals, it’s about connection, friendship and supporting one another.

Thank you to everyone who made the evening so special. We’re lucky to have such a wonderful Clacton crew!

#Foodcycle #Clacton #FoodWaste #Frinton #Community #MakingFriends

50 0
Open post by foodcyclehq with ID 18060514409209479
Friendships that go beyond the kitchen 💚

We absolutely loved seeing this update from our brilliant Clacton volunteers, who spent a sunny evening in Frinton enjoying a walking quiz, fish and chips, and plenty of laughs!

Sixteen of the team came together for a bit of friendly competition and fun, followed by a delicious beach hut supper and lots of chat about FoodCycle with curious passers-by.

Moments like these show just how strong the sense of community is among our volunteers. It’s more than just cooking and serving meals, it’s about connection, friendship and supporting one another.

Thank you to everyone who made the evening so special. We’re lucky to have such a wonderful Clacton crew!

#Foodcycle #Clacton #FoodWaste #Frinton #Community #MakingFriends

Not all heroes wear capes, some rock an apron and hairnet and whip up a mean pasta bake...

Join our volunteer team and help cook, serve or simply lend a hand. Whether it’s chopping veggies, plating up meals or washing up, it all makes a difference.

Join us for a Summer of Peas & Love. 🫛❤️

Do good, feel good, volunteer with us this summer.

Head to the link in the bio to register and have the best summer ever.

#SummerGoals #SummerVolunteers #Community #CommunityKitchen #FreeMeal #FoodCycle

52 1
Open post by foodcyclehq with ID 18121146427421273
Not all heroes wear capes, some rock an apron and hairnet and whip up a mean pasta bake...

Join our volunteer team and help cook, serve or simply lend a hand. Whether it’s chopping veggies, plating up meals or washing up, it all makes a difference.

Join us for a Summer of Peas & Love. 🫛❤️

Do good, feel good, volunteer with us this summer. 

Head to the link in the bio to register and have the best summer ever. 

#SummerGoals #SummerVolunteers #Community #CommunityKitchen #FreeMeal #FoodCycle
Follow on Instagram
Find your local Community meal

FoodCycle Head Office

  • 2.16, The Food Exchange
    New Covent Garden Market
    London, SW8 5EL
  • t: 020 7729 2775
  • e: [email protected]
  • Who We Are
  • Community Meals
  • Find a Meal
  • Fundraise
  • Vacancies
  • News
  • Contact Us

Follow us

Instagram Facebook Linkedin Tiktok
Sign Up To Volunteer
Volunteer Roles
Donate

© FoodCycle 2025

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

Shop Terms

Cookie Policy

Privacy Policy

Website by me&you

Volunteer
Donate

FoodCycle Head Office

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

Links

  • Find a Meal
  • Community Meals
  • Who We Are
  • Fundraise

Follow us

Instagram Facebook Linkedin Tiktok

Cookie Policy

Privacy Policy

© FoodCycle 2022

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

Website by me&you