ALDI GALASHIELS

Initiated by residents and supported by Kelso Community Council, Kelso Community Larder is being set up to reduce food waste. Kelso Community Larder takes surplus food from food retailers in and around Kelso and make it available to the public free of charge. The Kelso Community Larder is run entirely by volunteers and will soon be a registered charity (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation). We operate from 42 Bowmont Street, Kelso TD5 7JH. The larder is open to absolutely anyone and everyone and the food is available free of charge. Of course, donations are always extremely welcome but they are certainly not required. We plan to collect from all the supermarkets in Kelso and surrounding areas who support our aim of distributing surplus, edible food to our community. Our launch date is planned for 27 February 2023 when we hope to have good media coverage.

The Innerleithen Swap and Share Shed, a community project free at point of use for anyone who requires. It was set up at the start of 2021 in response to a growing need within the community to help counter food poverty. The project also alleviates landfill, advocates recycling and supports a sense of community. It is situated at the back of the Co op car park in Innerleithen. Occasionally, we publish new projects in the local newspaper, The Peeblesshire. We are currently planning to design and create an extension to the shed with a herb garden, orchard and a seating area covered by an arbour. One of the primary concepts of the Shed is to allow users to use it with complete anonymity. The Shed is run completely by volunteers who collect food excess from Fareshare, Neighbourly and local supermarkets. These goods along with sanitary products, products handed in by members of the community, are placed in the shed for anyone the community, no matter their circumstances. The shed is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day to allow for discretion of users. We also delivered frozen food and ambient boxes to locals in need.

We are a social enterprise aimed at reducing the gap between food waste and food inequality by providing healthy delicious food to people on a Pay What You Can basis ensuring everyone has the opportunity to eat out in a cafe environment. We also want to provide outside catering to community groups and also for private events and parties at low cost for those committed to reducing food waste.