Foodcycle appeals for volunteers as community dining charity opens second Exeter project

Foodcycle appeals for volunteers as community dining charity opens second Exeter project to help tackle food pro

A charity that aims to tackle food poverty, loneliness and food waste, has opened its second free community meal in Exeter, and is appealing for volunteers to help.

FoodCycle needs more volunteers to help provide free weekly hot meals for local guests in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, every Thursday at 6.30pm, atBeacon Heath Church.

Volunteers get to be part of the ‘FoodCycle magic’ – transforming surplus food that would otherwise go to waste into delicious vegetarian dishes.

FoodCycle Exeter Beacon Heath launched on Thursday October 10th, serving a three-course meal of: Carrot, orange and cumin soup, followed by Vegetarian chilli with rice and roast new potatoes, and a dessert of Danish style apple cake with homemade custard.

It’s the second FoodCycle community dining project to open in Exeter, and thesixth in the South West region, as the charity expands to help nourish communities across England and Wales. A similar FoodCycle meal has been running for nine years at the city centre Mint Methodist church, every Tuesday at 6.30pm. There, the FoodCycle Exeter team have so far served more than 11,220meals since opening in September 2015 and saved more than 33 tonnes of surplus food from going to waste.

Whether you’re a food waste warrior, a keen cook or washer-upper, a tea-making machine, or just enjoy a friendly chat while sharing a delicious meal, volunteering with FoodCycle is a fun way to help your community, and the environment too.

Now in its 15th year, FoodCycle runs 97 community meals nationally, offering good food and company to guests from all backgrounds.

Everyone is welcome to turn up to eat for free, with regular guests including low-income families, elderly people, refugees, people who live alone, may be homeless, or simply want to get more involved in their community.

FoodCycle South West Regional Manager Jemma Pembury said: “It’sfantastic to have opened our second FoodCycle meal for the community inExeter. This is a vibrant city where there is a high demand for free food provision for local people, particularly as the high cost of living continues to affect everything from fuel bills to food costs. Each week we provide a safe, welcoming space for anyone who wants to come along to enjoy great food and conversation with us for free. Our vital community service runs on the kindness of volunteers, so we’re asking local people willing to give up a few hours a month to get in touch with us.”

So far in 2024, FoodCycle has served over 123,000 free meals to people nationally and saved more than 243 tonnes of surplus food from going to landfill. The charity celebrated its 15th birthday in September.

Across the South West that’s more than 6,700 community meals served, and 10 tonnes of surplus food redistributed to local people so far in 2024, at projects in Exeter, Bath, Bristol and Swindon.

No prior qualifications are needed to volunteer with Foodcycle and there’s no minimum weekly commitment – just sign up via the FoodCycle website and relevant training and guidance will be provided.

Roles include cooking, hosting and pot washing, or helping run the project, for which you need to be available for four-hours on any day you volunteer. Drivers or cyclists are also needed to help collect surplus food, for which you need your own transport.

Mark, a FoodCycle volunteer said: “You get to meet all types of people. I like the fun and the challenge of coming up with a meal and I love the creativity. When I first volunteered, I really thought that it was just going to be like a food bank, but it is so much more than that. FoodCycle has really highlighted the importance of social connection to me. It’s also made me so much more aware of the issues that people are struggling with. If you’re thinking of volunteering, do it. It’s incredibly good fun. I’ve volunteered with other charities, but FoodCycle just has something about it. If you love food and people, you’ll love this!”

Why do communities need projects like FoodCycle?

By bringing people together, FoodCycle not only tackles hunger, loneliness and food waste, but it’s also improving mental wellbeing and strengthening community spirit.

FoodCycle carried out a survey with 1,448 guests in December 2023, which revealed that almost half (44%) eat most meals alone and 72% had felt lonely. 

The survey underpins the need for services which tackle the UK’s loneliness pandemic by forging positive connection in local communities.

The results suggest that FoodCycle’s community meals model works to support people’s wellbeing – with 92% of the guests surveyed leaving weekly meals feeling happier, 88% feeling more part of their community and 84% feeling less lonely.

The new FoodCycle Exeter Beacon Heath meal takes place on Thursdays at 6.30pm, at Beacon Heath Church, King Arthur's Road, Exeter, EX4 9BE

And FoodCycle Exeter takes place on Tuesdays at 6.30pm, at The Mint Methodist Church, Fore Street, Exeter, EX4 3AT

Sign up to volunteer here: https://volunteer.foodcycle.org.uk/

Donate to support FoodCycle here: https://foodcycle.org.uk/donate/