ALDI FORFAR

FOOD PROJECT AT ALL SOULS @ THE LOWSON Our Food Project started in 2016 when we were contacted by Tesco Fareshare regarding end of day produce. They were aware that we ran Toddler Groups and a Lunch Club and thought that we would be able to use it. Rev Karen was often contacted by people needing food and so gradually the project started to build. We were soon getting referrals from schools and social services and more offers from local businesses to supply food. Soon ASDA, Aldi, Greggs, Lidl and KFC were allowing us to pick you donations as our list grew. As the project was growing, more help was required and this was relayed to members of our Church and a group of volunteers rallied round to help form a Food Project. Rev Karen supplied a list of names of those requesting food, and arrangements were made to get deliveries to them once a week either on a Wednesday or Friday. In 2020 Covid-19 struck and we were in lockdown, but our food project group continued to support the needy and on a much larger scale. Our numbers grew – in fact, at that time we had over 50 households (over 120 people) being supplied with food. Pressure was put on us to supply more clients with food and we contacted the main suppliers in the town for help. God’s hand was at work and we had and still have huge support from Greggs, Strathmore Foods, Saddlers the Bakers, Aldi, Tesco, ASDA, Lidl and Angus Upcycling. We also get welcome support from All Souls @ Letham, Aberlemno and The Anchorage. This year we have received 70 referrals from Voluntary Action Angus, Angus Council Social Work Department and other organisations who pass on names weekly of those requiring our help. Some are long term and others just need a helping hand from time to time. A special effort is made at Christmas by Angus Upcycling (a local charity) to provide Christmas bags which include fresh chickens along with the usual trimmings and we deliver these to our clients along with their weekly food parcel. We have an Eco Fridge and three freezers to help keep food fresh prior to delivery. We deliver to over 70 households and feed over 150 people weekly along with 30 extra food parcels given out as a One Off deliver so far this year. We also deliver Greggs’ food to Strathmore School three times a week. The Food Project would not be a success without the willing band of 20 helpers who deliver and collect food from the above suppliers, 7 days a week in all kinds of weather. Monetary donations continue to be received from various individuals and organisations which enable us to prop up our store supplies. The feedback we have had over the years has been very encouraging when we know that we have helped many people over a very difficult period in their lives. This can be for 2 years and more in some cases. We are always looking for volunteers if you have some spare time.

A non-profit voluntary run organisation based in the centre of Kirriemuir. Our mission to help combat food insecurity and reduce food waste by redistributing food that is destined for waste to members of our community. Working together to better the environment and enhance the community. We are open to all within the Webster's High School catchment area. We work closely with statutory partner organisations to support those experiencing food insecurity. We also provide free packed lunches to all local school children during the school holidays - this project is made possible with thanks to funding received from the Holiday Food & Fun project at Angus Council and Action Funder. We also run recipe pack projects to support people with learning the skills needed to cook from scratch and to build confidence in cooking with unfamiliar ingredients. Our packs promote the use of our Community Fridge to encourage people to use food rather than discard it. In addition, to our free Community Fridge our Food Hub offers members the opportunity to purchase fridge and freezer items for up to £1 and ambient products for up to £4 for ten. We are open from 10am to 2pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday,3.30pm to 6pm on Wednesdays. Pop in to see us! You can find and follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/kirriemuirfoodhub)

The Bite & Blether @ Lochside (community cafe) is based in Strathmore Cricket Club in Forfar and was set up by a cooking group who now run as volunteers providing free lunches for anyone who comes along. At the moment they serve fresh soup, toasties, baked potatoes, salads, and some home baking. We are able to offer our users the free food from Lidl and Aldi in a discreet location so they can help themselves to the free offerings. They also support local events such as the Forfar Gala Day, Christmas Light switch on event and provide refreshments to the public. Volunteers are offered various training, such as Health and Hygiene Certificates, Community Cook it Training and the Adult Achievement Award, plus many more.