Angela – Volunteer
Cooking volunteer Angela is a sustainability champion at her local FoodCycle meal in Falcon Lodge.
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Maureen has been a guest at FoodCycle Milton Keynes Wolverton since January 2023. FoodCycle’s community meals have become part of her weekly schedule and she looks forward to them each week. Through FoodCycle, Maureen has had the opportunity to meet lots of new people, among them is Jen, who has become a close friend of hers.
What brought you to FoodCycle?
I’ve only lived in Wolverton for about two years. I moved here to be near my son. My son’s partner works at The Old Bath House, she’s very involved in the events that go on there and she thought it would be a good opportunity for me to go and meet people, and it has! I’m glad I made the decision to go.
What were your first impressions of FoodCycle?
When I first went along to FoodCycle, I wasn’t quite sure what’s what. I found everybody was really friendly, the volunteers and the people who go. Within a very short time I was quite happy to sit down at a table and chat to people, so it was very welcoming. The room is always beautifully set out. I know other people, so we sit, and chat and you can have a laugh while enjoying a meal.
How did your and Jen’s friendship start? 
Me and Jen met when we were waiting outside before the meal started. Jen was sitting on one of the benches, I arrived and she shifted up a bit to let me sit down and we just got chatting, then we went and sat at the table and had our meal together and that’s how our friendship evolved. Now we meet up outside most weeks before the meal starts, then we go in together and sit at the table and have a chat. She’s a really nice lady, she’s on her own at home like me. So, it’s lovely to just
meet up every week and have a chat.
Why do you like coming to FoodCycle?
We were talking about this today with the ladies around the table and all of us said the same thing, it’s the social side, going and meeting people and chatting. A lot of us are on our own at home, so its really quite nice to meet up, get to know other people and just have a chat, otherwise, you might not speak to anyone for days on end. So it’s something I look forward to.
There’s a family I used to know years ago, when I worked at a school. I haven’t seen them for 25 years or so, the children are now grown up with children of their own, so I met up with them again as they come most weeks as well. Its been quite nice to catch up and hear what’s happened in their life.
What do you think of the food?
The food is always very, very good and I think they do an incredible job considering they never know what they’re going to get. We’ve not been disappointed with a meal yet. Today we had a potato salad and pasta. They serve beautiful cakes and soups. I’ve never been disappointed with anything we’ve had, it’s always been really tasty and enjoyable.
What would you say to anyone thinking about coming along?
Come along, it’s very welcoming. From the moment you step in the door the volunteers welcome you, it always looks really nice and people are very friendly. Even if you don’t know a soul, when you sit down at a table, within a few minutes, people are chatting to each other, introducing themselves etc. It’s a nice social hour and a great way to meet people, with lovely food. There’s never anyone left on their own. I’ve got a couple of friends who started coming along and they weren’t sure at the beginning, but now they’re hooked on it, they’re there every week. I would recommend it to anyone, it’s brilliant.
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🎾 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
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT
Well done to the fantastic team at FoodCycle Weoley Castle for another warm and welcoming community meal 💚
This week, they served 22 guests, welcomed a brand new hosting volunteer, and dished up a delicious three-course menu featuring:
🥣 Roasted cauliflower and fennel soup
🍅 Ratatouille with mash and side salad
🍊 Orange drizzle cake
We also want to give a huge shout-out to Jacky, who hit an incredible milestone of 400 volunteer hours! Thank you for your dedication and the difference you continue to make every week 🎉
If you’re in the Weoley Castle area, head to St Gabriel’s at 4pm on Tuesdays for a free meal, good chat and a warm welcome.
Thinking about volunteering? Sign up here via the link in the bio.
#Volunteering #FoodCycle #WeoleyCastle #FreeMeal #WestMidlands #ThreeCourseMeal
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
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
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
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
Registered charity No. 1134423 | Company limited by guarantee no. 7101349
Registered charity No. 1134423
Company limited by guarantee no. 7101349
