ALDI LLANDRINDOD WELLS

We have two aims: * To protect the environment by reducing food waste. Food waste has a real impact on the environment. We are saving water used to grow wasted food, energy to transport it, and greenhouse gas emissions when it rots in landfill. * To battle food poverty. We are providing good quality food, free of charge to people in the Newtown area. People can take surplus food, without charge. They are welcome to make a donation if they can afford to. We now collect daily from six supermarkets, and less regularly each week from a further five. We have developed a 'market' based approach at food shares which provides customers with open free-choice access to a wide range of surplus food. We are now saving over one tonne of food each week from being wasted. About 130 households per week come to our food shares, held twice each week in the centre of Newtown Our stock is further supplemented through purchasing core items of food for making family meals, when they are not available as surplus from the supermarkets. This is funded through a donation model and is self-sustaining. We are also reaching a widening range of customers through partnership with local family centres, nurseries, schools and community cafés to let them share and use surplus food. We have recruited an active volunteer group of more than 60. It has become clear that volunteer opportunities have been taken up by a significant number of individuals with a range of additional needs – physical, mental, social and emotional. We are developing responsive volunteer support and oversight processes which recognise our role in providing support structures and mechanisms to help other agencies and the community in meeting these needs. We have also started working in partnership with a range of other voluntary sector organisations who serve client groups overlapping with ours. They are now providing us with additional volunteers, while using our food shares as venues at which they can offer access to their services. We have been able to distribute information about services for benefits claimants and support materials related to domestic violence.

Llandrindod Foodbank provides emergency food and practical support to individuals and families in our local community who are experiencing financial hardship and food insecurity. We are a small, independent rural foodbank and support people across Llandrindod Wells and the surrounding area. Alongside providing emergency food parcels, we aim to make sure people receive the wider support they need to improve their circumstances. Our Oasis Advice and Support Centre provides a welcoming community space where people can access advice and support around issues including benefits, debt, housing, money, employment and other challenges affecting their lives. We work closely with partner organisations and local services, helping people access the right support in one place. Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. They help with collecting, sorting and storing food, preparing and distributing parcels, welcoming visitors and supporting the day-to-day running of the Foodbank and Oasis. We provide appropriate training and support to ensure volunteers are confident and able to carry out their roles safely and effectively. We also play an important role in reducing food waste by collecting good-quality surplus food from local supermarkets, businesses and other organisations and redistributing it to people who need it. This allows food that might otherwise go to waste to be put to good use, while helping us maintain a varied supply of food for our clients. Demand for our service has increased significantly, and as a rural community we face additional challenges around transport, access to services and limited local resources. Donations of food and funding can also fluctuate, making it increasingly important that we make the best possible use of surplus food and have the resources needed to collect, store and distribute it safely. Our work is about more than providing food. We offer a friendly, non-judgemental place where people can feel listened to, supported and connected to other services. We work with local organisations and community partners to tackle the underlying issues that contribute to food insecurity and help people move towards greater stability and independence. By combining emergency food support, surplus food redistribution, advice, signposting and community connections, Llandrindod Foodbank provides a vital local safety net for people experiencing difficult times.

We are based at Ysgol Trefonnen, we work alongside the school, but are open to the whole community of Llandrindod Wells. Our aim is to reduce food waste and help tackle food poverty whilst also helping people as well who are struggling. We now have two new additions to the community fridge,including a community pantry and a community clothing shed. Along with a new food hygiene rating 5 We do have some services and providers which attend regularly such as the local PCSO's, housing and the money advice team help with budgeting. We ask for donations but this is not mandatory. We regularly put on events for the community too such as a Community Christmas dinner a pumpkin picking event and summer party. We also support local schools with surplus food donations. https://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/24503885.llandrindod-schools-fridge-become-real-success-story/?fbclid=IwY2xjawF15UtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXEwGmnadiVziPZJNX9bcd1exSal2jC79m-LjPG4eaFywZ9syNgca-RNVg_aem_pb35VIPTpUiNv6WVeRB4Qw https://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/24002483.powys-community-fridge-asking-help-funding/ https://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/23074185.schools-community-fridge-helping-fight-food-waste/