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101

Community meals this week

Find your local community meal location

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Community Dine With Me

  • June 1, 2023

To coincide with National Volunteers’ Week, FoodCycle is calling on the nation’s home chefs and dinner party hosts to bring their skills to their local FoodCycle community meal.

Following on from our involvement with the Creative Shootout, FoodCycle has been working with the winning agency, Red Consultancy, and all the media partners that have donated ad space, to create our largest volunteer recruitment campaign ever!

We began by conducting research which revealed the popularity of hosting dinner parties. The study of 2,000 adults found 72% of people that have ever held a dinner party, enjoy hosting rising to 90% for people aged 25-34.

While over one fifth (23%) would like to extend their hosting or cooking skills by sharing them with the local community.  When asked what qualities makes a good host, being welcoming (74%), relaxed (64%) and attentive (53%) are some of the most important elements.

Mary McGrath, CEO, FoodCycle said, ‘’Week in, week out, thousands of volunteers across the country help transform surplus food into delicious vegetarian meals for anyone that needs them, no questions asked.’’

“As a nation of dinner party hosts and home cooks, we want to encourage more people to take that skillset from the home and extend to the wider community.  Over the last year, we have seen a 59% increase in the number of community meals being served and with cost of living and rising food prices, we anticipate this demand will continue to increase.  Volunteers Week, which starts today and runs until 7th June presents the perfect time for people to get more involved.”

One of our longstanding volunteers is, Chris Sim, who to date has help cook over 2,000 community meals a year at the Finsbury Park Project. Chris and the team love to experiment with their food, taking inspiration from around the world and cooking for around 40-50 guests every week.

The key to success?  Chris said it’s about the art of collaboration combined with delegation – pooling ideas from many different people (or cookbooks), then getting people to buy into the idea, followed by delegating individual tasks, that lead to a top-notch result.

Inspired to volunteer?

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Hosting a dinner party? Read Chris’ top tips!

When preparing for a dinner party, Chris says hosts need to learn the art of delegation, not sweat the small stuff – and create a ‘timeline’ of the meal to make sure it goes to plan. Chris adds, ‘’When you are preparing food and a lovely occasion for many people, as soon as you relinquish a little bit of control and realise you can’t do everything – things tend to run a lot smoother.’’

 

  1. Collaboration enables delegation – pooling ideas from many different people, then getting people to buy into a shared vision for a meal, will make those helping you more motivated.
  2. Utilise ideas from your travels or family and friends from other parts of the world. Try to remember that dish, flavour combination or ingredient that made your holiday that little bit more memorable.
  3. Although it is easier said than done, don’t fret about the smallest details – as long as it’s done with love and care, your guests will appreciate it.
  4. Pre-planning is a must when you have many mouths to feed, creating a timeline of prep – which includes everything from when the food needs to go into the oven to dressing the table – can help to create a slick process to getting everything served on time.
  5. Try to smile, relax and even have a laugh during the process – you’re more likely to enjoy cooking, which will translate into tastier, more memorable food.

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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

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Company limited by guarantee no. 7101349

Website by me&you