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    • Who We Are
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    • What is a FoodCycle Community Meal?
    • Schools Community Meals
    • Supporters and Partners
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    • Staff and Trustee Team
    • Patrons and Ambassadors
    • Reports and publications
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  • Find a Meal
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Roles
    • Equal opportunities
  • Support Us
    • Corporate Support
    • Corporate Team Cooking Challenge
    • Fundraise
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101

Community meals this week

Find your local community meal location

Find a meal

Cooking Volunteer

Sign Up

Love cooking?

Looking for a fun way to make a difference in your community?

Without the amazing work of our thousands of volunteers across the country, FoodCycle simply wouldn’t be possible.

So much of our success is down to our incredible volunteers and whether you’re a Masterchef winner in the making or a cooking novice you can roll your sleeves up, and join the kitchen team producing a three-course vegetarian meal using surplus food.

You don’t need to have any previous cooking experience; you just need to get stuck in!

We’ll give you training and support, and you’ll be able to claim back your expenses, including mileage.

Become a Cooking Volunteer

Responsibilities

You’ll learn some great skills, like how to cater for large numbers and make nutritionally balanced meals, and because you won’t know what your ingredients are before each session, you’ll have a chance to get creative when coming up with every meal.

Download the full role description

FAQs

  • What tasks will I do as a Cooking volunteer?

    You’ll roll your sleeves up, sport a fetching hairnet and join the kitchen team to produce a three-course vegetarian meal using surplus food. You’ll be peeling, chopping, frying, mixing, boiling, serving and washing up. But most of all, you’ll have a lot of fun. You don’t need to have any previous cooking experience; you just need to get stuck in!

  • What training will I receive?

    As a FoodCycle volunteer you will receive basic training in Food Safety, Health & Safety, and Safeguarding when you register. After registering, you will have access to a variety of free online resources and training via the FoodCycle volunteer portal, including mental health awareness and guides for serving nutritious meals and talking to guests. 

  • How often do I need to volunteer?

    We don’t look for minimum commitments, but we love it if you keep coming back! An average cooking slot is 4 hours. You can volunteer weekly, monthly or just when you have the time.

  • What experience do I need?

    You don’t need any specific experience; we just want you to be enthusiastic about supporting your local community. We ask that you complete all the required training and follow all policies and procedures.

  • Can I claim travel expenses?

    You can claim travel expenses, including mileage, in line with our volunteer policy.

  • How old do I need to be to volunteer?

    All volunteers must be over the age of 18.

  • Can I volunteer if I have a disability?

    Visit our equal opportunities page to find out more about volunteering with a disability.

  • How do I become a volunteer?

    Signing up to be a FoodCycle volunteer is really easy, just complete our online form.

Love bringing smiles to children?

Play a vital role in ensuring children and families have access to nutritious meals.
Become a School Volunteer

Love fundraising?

Get creative and convince people to part with their cash to support our vital work!
Become a Fundraising Volunteer

Love to help out?

Collect and deliver supplies of surplus food for our cooks.
Become a Food Collection Volunteer

Love to meet people?

Make our guests feel welcome and give them the best community dining experience.
Become a Hosting Volunteer

Equal Opportunities

At FoodCycle we are a diverse organisation and welcome volunteers and guests from all backgrounds and walks of life. Visit our equal opportunities page to find out about volunteering with a disability.
Find Out More
FoodCycle fundraising

Fundraising

Want to help us create a society where no-one is hungry or lonely? Visit our fundraising page for a menu of ideas for getting involved and raising vital cash.

Find out more

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Find your local Community meal

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 2025

Registered charity No. 1134423 | Company limited by guarantee no. 7101349

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Volunteer
Donate

FoodCycle Head Office

  • 2.16, The Food Exchange
    New Covent Garden Market
    London, SW8 5EL
  • t: 020 7729 2775
  • e: [email protected]

Links

  • Find a Meal
  • Community Meals
  • Who We Are
  • Fundraise

Follow us

Instagram Facebook Linkedin Tiktok

Cookie Policy

Privacy Policy

© FoodCycle 2022

Registered charity No. 1134423
Company limited by guarantee no. 7101349

Website by me&you