ALDI CIRENCESTER

We are a small, enthusiastic group who are experienced with store to door surplus food collections. The group has been set up to help in tackling hunger and food waste. Surplus food is collected from local supermarkets that we partner with and redistribute to those that can benefit. We have been assisting local families in the Cheltenham and surrounding areas and there is no charge for what our group provides. Our volunteers give up their spare time during the day and also into the evenings going out of their way to help others and always with a smile. Due to the donations that we are currently receiving there is no means testing and we provide by way of care parcels. We assist families who are currently going through crisis due to job loss, ill health and on low income. There is no judgement and we believe in treating everyone with dignity and respect. At times there are excess amounts of one food item and after supplementing the care parcels we will distribute to large groups of people that can make use of these such as key workers, breakfast clubs or schools. We believe in these times affected by the cost of living crisis that no good food should be wasted and instead given to those that can make use of it.

We support unpaid carers in and around SN6 on a weekly basis. All refreshments are complimentary and we hold an event once a month eg cake decorating, flower arranging, guest speakers, goody bags. Tea, coffee, cakes, biscuits and items to be used as gifts would be very supportive.

Cirencester Pantry Love Food but Hate Waste. We are living through a climate emergency that is threatening all our lives. Greenhouse emissions are a major cause of damage to our planet. Food waste alone contributes 6-7% of the overall UK gas emissions. Sometimes we can be overwhelmed by global problems and wonder if an individual’s efforts can help improve things. Park Community Group with the support of Cllr Claire Bloomer believe we can have an impact starting locally and joining with others to try to reduce our food waste. Most of the waste in the food industry is in the supply chain and not from stores or from what we leave on our plates. Producers of foods supplied to the major supermarkets such as Waitrose, Tesco, M&S, Lidl, Sainsburys, Morrisons etc, are often left with perfectly good surplus food that is headed to be thrown away. Cirencester Pantry will be directly reducing waste by making this surplus food available to residents providing them with quality food which would otherwise be going to landfill. The Cirencester Pantry will be opening its doors on Friday 3rd March at Watermoor Hall from 4pm-7pm. We want all our residents to have the opportunity to become members of the scheme which cost £14 per month for a single person or £22 per month for a family. For the monthly payment, members will then be able to attend the Pantry. Members can select from a range of chilled fresh meat/chicken, fresh fruit and vegetables, pasta, rice and other tinned goods. Each week what is available varies but each member’s basket will be worth at least £14 /£22 a week. The Cirencester Food Pantry is more than just a place to pick up good quality food and help save waste. We encourage active member participation to build a strong organization that delivers to members what they want – quality food, at great prices while helping reduce waste. But also join other members to help build healthy communities through sharing food knowledge, recipes, and activities promoting care for the environment and our neighbours. Have a coffee with us; chat with other members; introduce yourself after all you have something in common – you are a member of Cirencester Pantry who loves food but hates waste! We are part of the food network in Cirencester and the Cotswolds. • We work with the local Food Bank by taking some of their over stock of pasta/rice which they are having to pay to store. • We will hold some priority memberships at a minimal weekly fee for those who are moving on from the Food Bank’s free food parcels but are still in a position of food vulnerability. • At the end of our Friday pantry session all the leftover food will be donated to the Food Bank as well as to Signpost who support local resident by cooking tasty meals.