Bev – Volunteer
Meet Bev, a FoodCycle volunteer who loves nothing more than sharing meals and chatting with people!
FoodCycle Hackney volunteer Mark lives in London and has been volunteering with FoodCycle ever since he retired. Having been a passionate cook for many years and hosting large parties on a regular basis (once for 200 people!), he wanted to use his skills to help alleviate food poverty within his community.
I have always loved cooking, I used to work in a very stressful job, so much so that I would often come home and feel so stressed that I didn’t even want to talk to my family. I would get back from work, head to the kitchen, put some music on and get cooking and it would make me feel so much better, I’ve always found it such a huge de-stresser. I’m not good at many things but I know I am a pretty good cook!
How did you discover FoodCycle?
After retiring, I was really keen to get involved with some more volunteering. Being incredibly passionate about food poverty I wanted to do something that was tackling this issue. I did a quick Google search of ‘charity cooking’ and there was FoodCycle. Within a week I was volunteering at my first session at the FoodCycle Project in East Ham.
Tell us about your first session at FoodCycle?
Oh it was a wonderful experience. I turned up and we went and collected the food from the supermarket over the road, there really wasn’t a great deal of food that week – a lot of potatoes.
We took it back to the kitchen and I decided to just get stuck in and put myself forward to cook a vegetarian cottage pie. It was quite a challenge with such a small oven and having to cook for so many people! But I did it and everyone was just so lovely, the volunteers, the guests, just so welcoming and friendly.
It really hit home the importance of what I was doing and was obvious how much of a difference these meals make to people. That was it, I was hooked and before long I signed up to be a Project Leader at FoodCycle in Hackney.
Tell us about your favourite FoodCycle meals?
The best thing I have cooked at a meal is sweetcorn fritters. It was at FoodCycle Hackney and again it was a week that we just didn’t have a huge amount of food donated, just lots of sweetcorn.
So I decided to make my late mother-in-law’s famous sweetcorn fritters. It’s a dish that has so many fond memories for me and it was just so special to be able to share it with the guests at FoodCycle. They loved it and my wife and her family were all really touched when I shared the pictures of them at the meal.
What is your favourite thing about volunteering at FoodCycle?
The people, it really is such a wonderful atmosphere, you get to meet all types of people, both the guests and volunteers. I’ve become really good friends with some of my fellow volunteers.
I like the fun and the challenge of coming up with a meal and cooking for 30-40 guests. I love the creativity that happens when different people come together, for example one week we cooked a simple tomato pasta for the main course (due to what we had in our delivery) but we called it Spaghetti Pomodoro just to makes sure that it still felt like a special and exciting meal. Needless to say they absolutely loved it!
Tell us any ways that working with FoodCycle has changed you?
When I first volunteered I really thought that it was just going to be like a food bank but it is so much more than that. FoodCycle has really highlighted the importance of social connection to me. I just really hadn’t grasped the community side of things before, it just hasn’t registered with me until I came to FoodCycle.
It’s also made me so much more aware of the issues that people are struggling with.
What would you say to anyone thinking of volunteering with FoodCycle?
Do it.
It’s incredibly good fun, we always have a laugh in the kitchen. I’ve volunteered with other charities but FoodCycle just has something about it. If you love food and people, you’ll love this!
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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
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!
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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
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
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
🎾 A huge shoutout to our friends at Danone for treating some of our amazing volunteers (and a few staff too!) to an unforgettable day at Wimbledon 💚
On 5th July, a group of lucky volunteers from all over the country were picked in a random draw and got to enjoy top tennis action plus a tasty lunch and afternoon tea.
We’re so grateful to Danone for recognising the time, care and energy our volunteers give every week. You are the heart of FoodCycle and we love being able to say thank you in fun and meaningful ways like this.
Here’s to more memories, more meals and more community 💫
#FoodCycle #ThankYouDanone #Wimbledon
Registered charity No. 1134423 | Company limited by guarantee no. 7101349
Registered charity No. 1134423
Company limited by guarantee no. 7101349
