Food Charity Launches First Ever Project in Wales Providing Free Meals to the Community

National food charity, FoodCycle has opened its first Project in Wales and is on the hunt for volunteers in Newport to help provide free meals to the local community. Taking place at Community House, Eton Road every Friday from 6.30pm, the new Project invites locals to join FoodCycle volunteers for a friendly chat and wholesome meal made with food that would otherwise have gone to waste.

Alex Hatherly, FoodCycle South West Regional Manager says: ”We couldn’t be more excited to be bringing the first-ever FoodCycle Project to Wales. We can’t wait for the Newport community to see the magic of a FoodCycle meal – from forming new connections to improving mental health. We’re open to anyone, no questions asked – and we’re asking local residents to help us by signing up as volunteers or simply spreading the word.”

Aiming to make food poverty, loneliness and food waste a thing of the past, FoodCycle aims to provide food and conversation to local communities across the country. With the additional aim of reducing food waste, FoodCycle volunteers create nutritious meals from surplus food. The meals are open to all, and guests’ range from low-income families, people affected by job security and homelessness; to people who simply want to connect with members of their community. No questions asked, people just turn up and take a seat.

Created in April 2020 in response to the first national lockdown, FoodCycle’s Check-in and Chat service is also available to local residents. Helping to combat the rising issue of social isolation, volunteers call guests for a weekly natter and lend an ear to those who feel lonely.

FoodCycle Needs You

FoodCycle Newport is looking to recruit new volunteers and Project Leaders. Flexible volunteer roles without a minimum time commitment are open to anyone and include food collection, surplus food coordinators, cooking, hosting and Project leading.

Donate Surplus Food

9.5 million tonnes of food is wasted every year in the UK, so donating surplus good is a great way to contribute to the community and make a real difference. So that FoodCycle meals are as inclusive as possible, vegetarian dishes are prepared from scratch. The team are seeking donations of fresh fruit and vegetables, tins, dried goods, dairy and bakery goods from local businesses and wholesalers. FoodCycle volunteers will visit every week to pick up the surplus ingredients on foot, car or bike and turn it into tasty, three course meals.

FoodCycle Newport serves a weekly free community meal every Friday from 6.30pm