Angela – Volunteer
Cooking volunteer Angela is a sustainability champion at her local FoodCycle meal in Falcon Lodge.
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Melissa has been coming to FoodCycle High Wycombe since discovering our weekly community meals through a friend. Ever since she found the service, Melissa has been a regular. She says that without the support of FoodCycle, she would really be struggling to afford her weekly shop.
What brought you to FoodCycle?
I went on benefits about three years ago and was recently feeling the pressure of the rising costs of food. I have a really good friend and I’d spoken to her about this and she introduced me to FoodCycle.
What were your first impressions of a FoodCycle meal?
I was overcome by how friendly the volunteers were and how warm and welcoming it was. I’m so grateful for the work they do and for the volunteers who give their time and energy to make sure that people like me have something to eat.
I also object to food waste so the fact that you are recycling short-dated food is fantastic. I feel terrible about throwing any food away. I’ve, of course, been caught a few times with an onion going off and bread going mouldy but it’s so nice to know that this food that supermarkets would throw out is being saved and turned into lovely meals.
What are your favourite FoodCycle meals?
My favourite meals are anything with rice! I’ve also really enjoyed the veggie burgers and your soups are delicious. Your soups with croutons. I can’t tell you how lovely they are.
You beat my mum on several meals you have served. What I call “mummy moo standard”. My mum just loved cooking and her whole life was revolving around cooking. Some of the grub and the soups are up to my mum’s standards! I find any meal that you serve up to be delicious.
How is the current cost of living crisis affecting you and does FoodCycle help?
FoodCycle have helped me tremendously. I went on benefits three years ago and ever since the cost-of-living crisis started, food has become really expensive, and it keeps going up. If it wasn’t for FoodCycle, I would really be struggling. FoodCycle has been a lifeline for me.
What would you say to someone visiting a FoodCycle meal for the first time?
It’s very welcoming, it’s very warm, everybody’s friendly, there’s a lot of lonely people out there and FoodCycle is there to help. All I can say is I highly recommend anybody turning up there.
You’re a fantastic service. All I’ve got is nothing but praise for you. You’re such a welcoming bunch and you’re absolutely fantastic!
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We`re thrilled to have been chosen as one of 12 charities to benefit from grant funding in 2025 from The Health Lottery.
This support will help us continue to improve the health and well-being of communities across the country by providing free, nutritious meals and welcoming spaces for connection and conversation.
A huge thank you to The Health Lottery for recognising the impact of our work and helping us reach even more people who need support.
We’re excited about what this funding will make possible, from expanding our reach to deepening the support we offer to our guests.
Read about all 12 charities at https://www.thehealthlotteryfoundation.org.uk/funding-information/200k-of-support-to-12-charities-to-improve-health-wellbeing/
#TheHealthLottery #FoodCycle #Charities #CharityGiving #CharitableFoundation #CommunityMeal #FreeMeals
"FoodCycle is a boost to my mental health.”
Every week, FoodCycle guests find more than food at our meals. They find company, kindness and a sense of belonging.
💬 “I go days without talking to anyone. Coming here lifts me.”
💬 “It’s changed my outlook and given me a reason to leave the house.”
💬 “I feel nourished and mentally refreshed.”
Community isn’t just important – it’s essential.
This Mental Health Awareness Week, let’s keep showing up for each other.
#MHAW #FoodCycle #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #ThisIsMyCommunity
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and the theme is community 💚
At FoodCycle, we believe that sitting down to share a meal with others can do wonders for our wellbeing.
Here’s what our guests told us:
🧑🤝🧑 83% feel happier after attending
👋 78% feel less lonely
🌍 91% have met people from different backgrounds
🏘️ 83% feel more part of their community
A warm meal, a friendly face, and a regular routine might sound simple, but they really do make a difference.
#MHAW #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #FoodCycle #ThisIsMyCommunity @MHFAEngland
We’re thrilled to announce our new charity partnership with @wagamama_uk
With a shared belief in the power of nourishing food and human connection, wagamama will be supporting FoodCycle through generous meal donations, chef collaborations at our community meals, skill-sharing sessions for volunteers, and so much more.
From cooking side by side with our teams to inviting our guests into their restaurants, this partnership is all about community, compassion and great food.
We can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together.
Read more on the partnership via the link in the bio
#wagamama #foodcycle #partnership #communitymeal
This June, we’re teaming up with our friends at Eden Communities to celebrate food, friendship and FUN – and we want you in on it!
Whether it’s a garden picnic, a street party, or a tea and cake kind of vibe, The Big Lunch is your chance to bring people together and raise funds for FoodCycle while you’re at it 💚
👯♀️ Host with your housemates
🌞 Picnic in the park with pals
🏡 Invite the neighbours round
🍰 Or bring the party to your workplace
However you do it, you`re helping us fight food waste, tackle loneliness and serve up more delicious community meals across the UK.
📦 Grab your free Big Lunch Pack and get planning – link in bio!
@edencommunities
#TheBigLunch #foodcycle #community #communitymeal
🎉 A huge well done to FoodCycle Hartlepool for their very first themed night! 🎉
The evening was a fantastic success, thanks to the amazing effort of the Hartlepool volunteers who went above and beyond to make it extra special. Decorations, table snacks, and thoughtful touches helped create a brilliant atmosphere for their guests. 💛
A big thank you to their regular volunteer from Quorn for the fantastic donation of Quorn burgers, which were a real hit. 🍔
And a huge shout out to Morrisons Hartlepool for their incredible support. Their donations of cookies and dips made the meal even more memorable and will continue to help with future meals too. 🍪✨
It is wonderful to see the Hartlepool team showing the power of community spirit through food and friendship.
Don`t forget to tag us in all your posts, we love to see what our projects are creating for their communities.
#hartlepool #foodcycle #morrisons #quorn
Help us make a difference!
We would love it if you could nominate FoodCycle for a Movement for Good Health and Wellbeing Award. It only takes a minute and could help us support even more communities with free, nutritious meals.
Nominations close on 4th May – nominate us here: https://health.movementforgood.com/index.php?cn=1134423&ct=health#nominateACharity
Thank you for your support! 💚
@benefactgroup #Healthandwellbeing #foodcycle #community #socialgood #movementforgood
We were absolutely delighted to be selected as one of 20 charities supported by Overbury’s 2025 Charity Quiz.
Held at Westminster Park Plaza in February, the event brought together 100 teams from across the construction industry, raising an incredible £500,000 for charity through an evening of quiz rounds, connection and generosity.
A huge thank you to Overbury and all the event sponsors for their fantastic support.
And a special shout out to Rebecca Bradshaw, Overbury staff member and dedicated FoodCycle volunteer, for nominating us – we’re so grateful.
@overburyplc
Less than 24 hours to double your impact.
There’s still time to donate through the Big Give Green Match Fund and have your gift matched pound for pound.
We have just over £800 left to raise to unlock all of our match funding. Every donation will be matched while funds are available – meaning double the meals and double the impact for the people we support.
Many of our guests are struggling with the cost of living, with 75% finding it difficult to afford food or pay for their housing. Your support can make a real difference.
💚 76% of our guests report eating more fruit and vegetables
💚 83% feel happier after attending a FoodCycle meal
💚 78% feel less lonely
By donating today, you`re helping us do more than just provide food. You are helping us build community, improve wellbeing, and save good food from going to waste.
Donate now and help us reach our target.
Head to the link in the bio!
@biggiveorg #greenprojects #greenmatchfund #foodcycle #fightfoodwaste
🌍💚 It’s a BIG week… The Big Give Green Match Fund is here! 💚🌍
From today until 29th April, every donation to FoodCycle through The Big Give will be DOUBLED, helping us grow our environmental impact through community dining.
By turning surplus food into hot, healthy meals, we’re:
♻️ Tackling food waste
🌱 Cutting carbon emissions
🍽️ Feeding communities in need
In 2024, we saved 320 tonnes of food from waste, stopping 200,000kg of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. Imagine what we can do with YOUR help, doubled.
Donate today and be part of something greener, kinder and more connected.
Link in bio to give.
#donate #causes #giveback #socialgood #environment #biggive #thebiggive #foodcycle
Registered charity No. 1134423 | Company limited by guarantee no. 7101349
Registered charity No. 1134423
Company limited by guarantee no. 7101349
