Younis – Guest
A self-proclaimed food critic, Younis is known for rating each meal out of 10.
101
101
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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Do you leave a treat out for Father Christmas? Well, the Easter Bunny deserves some love too. 🥕🐰
We think this carrot cake recipe is perfect for Easter weekend.
Did you know you can scale this recipe up or down by changing the number of portions?
Try it yourself via the link in the bio.
Make sure to tag us in any of your baking creations.
#CarrotCake #EasterBunny #EasterReciope #EasterTreat #Cakes #EasterFood #FoodCycle
Double your impact. Fight food waste. Feed communities. 💚
We’re thrilled to be part of The Big Give Green Match Fund, launching next Tuesday!
🌱 From 22nd to 29th April, every pound you donate to FoodCycle through The Big Give will be match-funded.
In partnership with the Environmental Funders Network (EFN), this incredible campaign supports charities tackling urgent environmental issues – and we’re proud to be one of them.
Your donations will help us:
🥦 Rescue surplus food
🍽️ Serve hot, nutritious meals
🤝 Bring communities together
Let’s turn food waste into something wonderful.
🔗 Find out more and get ready to donate via the link in the bio
#TheBigGive #GreenMatchFund #FoodCycle #Sustainable #Comunity #GreenProjects
Not into cooking? No problem!
You can support us and our projects in many ways, and cooking up a storm is just one of them.
You could:
🥕 Collect and deliver surplus food
🥕 Be a host and welcome people
🥕 Fundraise to support our vital work
Of course, you can get involved in the kitchen by cooking, preparing, cleaning up, and everything in between.
Got more questions about volunteering? Head over to the link in the bio
You can also help support us by following us and sharing our posts.
#Volunteer #Community #VolunteerOpportunities #VolunteerRoles #CommunityMeal
Thanks to your energy, compassion and dedication, our 2024 Impact Report is bursting with achievements worth celebrating 👏
Here’s what you helped make happen last year:
🍽️ 162,991 meals served, made from surplus food
🌍 320 tonnes of food saved from waste
💪 Over 8,700 volunteers gave 162,810 hours of their time
🏫 20 new projects launched, including 3 in schools
📈 30% more guests came to share food and conversation
🏆 We were named Charity of the Year – twice!
None of it would be possible without our amazing volunteer community. Whether you cooked, hosted, collected food or cheered us on – you’ve made a real, lasting difference.
Want to see the full impact, read inspiring guest stories and find out what’s next?
👉 Tap the link in bio
#FoodCycle #Sustainable #ImpactReport #Community #CommunityMeals #Landfill
A big shout out to the team at the Reading Project!
One of the guests reached out to offer some lovely words of support.
"Please mention the Reading team. They have not been going long, but they do an amazing job. All the volunteers are friendly and it is a lovely community. Thank you Reading!"
Well done to everyone involved with the Reading Project :-)
#Reading #ReadingCity #ReadingFoodcycle #Foodcycle #CommunityMeal
This week (and every week at FoodCycle) is National Food Waste Action Week. 🌎
So we just wanted to remind you that our community meals are cooked up using surplus food that was otherwise headed for the bin 😮
This week at our Kingstanding community meal 34 guests enjoyed a menu of...
🥕 Veggie loaded soup
🍝 Sunday roasts with Cauliflower cheese
🍰 Cake and Custard
Small changes make a BIG impact! Whether it`s blending come extra veg into soup or finding creative ways to use surplus ingredients, every action helps.
#FoodWasteActionWeek
Food Waste Action Week: Make the Most of Your Food! 🥕🍞🥦
Did you know that here at FoodCycle we have a whole section of delicious recipes to help you reduce food waste? From using up leftovers to making the most of every ingredient, our recipes are here to help you save food, money, and the planet!
Check them out now this #FoodWasteActionWeek and transform your extras into something extraordinary.
🔗 Link in bio!
💚 This #InternationalWomensDay, we’re celebrating the incredible women who give their time, energy, and passion to FoodCycle community meals.
#AccelerateAction, reminds us that real change happens when people step up. These inspiring volunteers do just that - taking action in their communities and making a real difference.
🌟 Joan – FoodCycle Middlesbrough Breckon Hill
Known as ‘Nan’ to many at her local FoodCycle project, (FoodCycle Breckon Hill in Middlesbrough), retired nurse Joan brings positive energy to everyone she meets as a hosting volunteer.
Joan says: “I like working with people, and feeling that I am being of some use. It’s wonderful, you meet lovely people and you’re helping your community… It’s just nice to know that you’ve helped somebody.”
🌟 Asli – FoodCycle Schools – Ark Globe, London
Asli is a FoodCycle hosting lead at the London school where she’s also a teacher. She finds joy in seeing pupils and their families coming together each week.
Asli says: “Ever since I first heard of it, I`ve been obsessed with FoodCycle! I just love the idea that we can make food out of what`s given to us, and share it with the community.”
🌟 Ashliegh – FoodCycle Salford
Ashleigh is a Project Leader, who has not only volunteered 270+ hours her local community meal, but also fundraised £3,000!
Ashleigh says: “FoodCycle is so important for our community because it brings people from all walks of life together. It’s for absolutely anyone and everyone, and we basically all just come together for one really lovely night and sit and have a chat and tell stories and swap stores and it really is just amazing.”
💚 To all the incredible women who power FoodCycle – thank you for your dedication, kindness, and action. You inspire us every day!
Want to join? Sign up to volunteer via #linkinbio
#FoodCycle #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2025 #Volunteering #Community
What a wonderful evening serving 23 guests at Prestwich.
Using surplus food our incredible team of volunteers served...
🥕 Thickly sliced root vegetable soup with bread
🥗 Italian pesto with @Quorn_uk, paprika, roasted potatoes, and a fresh side salad
🍎 Fruit salad with chocolate ice cream
Special shoutout to Lauren and Veronica for doing an incredible job hosting for the first time - well done!
Join your local team today 🔗 Link in bio
Registered charity No. 1134423 | Company limited by guarantee no. 7101349
Registered charity No. 1134423
Company limited by guarantee no. 7101349
