✿ About
WHAT IS A COMMUNITY FOOD CLUB?
A group of people who pay (where they can) a small amount weekly to receive a share of surplus food each week. The club is run by and for its members on a not-for-profit basis. Members who are able to are asked to help each week. We recognise that some people may not be able to contribute with money or time - this doesn't stop anyone from joining.
CAN I HELP BUT NOT BE A MEMBER?
Yes. For our first year we have been running the club with our members and it works really well, however there are times when many members are busy and we could do with extra help from non members too. When we all act together we can achieve something amazing to support our community and the environment as a whole. If you'd like to help and don't want to receive food then we'd love to hear from you too. Just drop an email to flookburghcfc@gmail.com
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
According to FareShare 1.9 million tonnes of surplus food is wasted by the food industry every year in the UK and of that 250,000 tonnes is still edible - that’s enough for 650 million meals - we are doing this to make a difference to people and to the planet!
HOW DOES EDIBLE FOOD BECOME CLASSED AS SURPLUS?
Good food that isn’t going to be sold, but which is still in date and edible is called surplus or waste food. It can become this for simple reasons such as over-production, labelling errors or short shelf-life. Surplus food occurs everywhere in the supply chain from field through to fork. This perfectly good in-date food is then sent to landfill, unless it can be intercepted and redistributed.
WHO INTERCEPTS FOOD?
The waste hierarchy calls for food to feed people first and it is a legal requirement for UK companies to operate according to these principles. Food redistribution charities intercept food orders that don’t reach the supermarket shelf and redistribute it to those who need it most through frontline charities and community groups - like this new Flookburgh Community Food Club!
WHO DISTRIBUTES TO SOUTH LAKELAND?
FareShare is the UKs biggest food redistribution charity, they redistributed over 20,000 tonnes of food last year, saving it all from going to landfill. Local food clubs place a weekly order with them - there are already clubs distributing food from Witherslack, Grange over Sands, Cartmel and Ulverston and there are new clubs opening in Kendal and Flookburgh soon.
WHAT SORT OF FOOD IS IT?
The weekly order is placed with FareShare for chilled and ambient foods (not frozen) by type such as fruit, vegetables, eggs, raw meat, prepared salads, rice/pasta bread or juices. Food received depends on what has been intercepted that week so it may be we get a few different things to our original order request. It's hard to give an exact value to the food you'll receive, but it will be most likely in excess of £10 and has recently been calculated as high as £26.
HOW DOES THE FOOD GET TO FLOOKBURGH?
FareShare deliver food for Allithwaite, Cartmel & Flookburgh food clubs in bulk to the Quaker Meeting House in Cartmel generally between 11 and 11:30 each Monday (except Bank Holidays). Each club then takes their allocation for sorting and sharing. For Flookburgh this comes to the Village Hall - we will need 2 people (and 2 cars) to do this collection each week. The process is shown with images HERE
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE VILLAGE HALL?
We have a max of 6 helpers in the building at any time. To prepare for the food arrival 4 helpers set out tables and clean all surfaces. All helpers are expected to wash hands as required by current guidelines, spending at least 20 seconds using soap and water, then drying thoroughly, or using hand sanitiser. Hands must be washed prior to carrying in boxes AND prior to sharing out food into bags/boxes. The food delivery is unloaded to tables in the hall where we count the number of items and work out how best to share this among the number of members for that week. This sounds simple, but can be quite a challenge! Food is then placed into bags for life, one for each member to collect at the allotted time.
MEMBERS FOOD COLLECTION
Members are advised by email of the collection time for that day. It's normally between 1:30 and 2pm, but can be a little earlier if the food van delivers early! Collection happens at the middle door of the hall - members are asked to wait outside the building to collect and to maintain social distancing at all times.
All food is shared into bags in advance for all members to collect from the middle door of the hall.
FareShare food handling is explained HERE.
HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER and HOW MUCH DO I PAY?
You can apply by completing the form HERE (please use the same form if you wish to help but not be a member). We ask members (where they can) to pay a £5 annual membership fee and to pay £3 weekly (as recommended by Fareshare). If money is an issue that's also fine, we can support you with food without payment. We can also accept donations to support this project for those who wish to help without receiving food.
HOW IS THE MONEY USED?
We have to ensure we have insurance and formal hygiene training as without these we are unable to run the club. Food is ordered from FareShare by number of trays (although it's not all delivered on 'trays') which each cost £1 to the food club. Any surplus funds will go towards expenses for transport, materials such as food bags for sharing loose items, group tea and coffee etc, as well as enabling us to help people in the community identified as in need, and to allocate a share to them as and when it would be appreciated.
HOW DO I PAY?
Cash on joining and paid weekly is fine, as you collect your food. We can arrange to provide bank details if you would prefer to set up a Standing Order. Please ask about this and again, it's not a problem if money is an issue, just let us know when you complete your form.
If you have any questions - please don't hesitate to email: flookburghcfc@gmail.com.
If you'd like to print this info click HERE
Thanks in advance!
Jeni McConnell
FLOOKBURGH COMMUNITY FOOD CLUB