ALDI EVESHAM - SWAN LANE

Working in conjunction with a local food bank we aim to address the increasing problem of holiday hunger. School holidays put a strain on families who may struggle to meet the costs of extra meals and treats as well as reducing available funds to go out and enjoy time as a family. We aim to provide free lunches and open access at our Adventure Playground, allowing children and families to get outside, enjoy the chance to play, create, join in the den building and campfires and make the most of their opportunities. Children and families will be encouraged to get involved in the preparation and cooking as well as helping to grow as much fruit and vegetables onsite as possible. This will help to increase confidence and skills as well as a better understanding of health and nutrition. We hope to work with local companies to reduce food waste and keep food miles to a minimum.

The issue of food waste is gaining awareness. More and more families and individuals are, or are in danger of, living in poverty while our nation's eating habits are becoming reliant on fast food and ready meals. We want to feed the world! Well OK, maybe a bit ambitious so how about feeding our local community instead? Everyone knows the awful story of the tonnes of food waste every week in Britain so we want to do something about it. We'd like to set up a community fridge and larder and stock it with donations from businesses, supermarkets, growers, small independent shops, people who've got allotments, grandad's surplus tomatoes (he grows them every year but doesn't like them!) and anyone and everyone else who would like to contribute. We are based in a small market town and our community centre is in the town centre. It's open from 9 am - 9:30 p.m every weekday and on Saturday mornings too, We are open to a diverse range of user groups including youth groups, mental health support groups, carers, disabled adults, senior citizens, sports groups, poetry, language, science and engineering, dance... all are welcome at Wallace House. We'd like to have an area that's open to everyone to come along and help themselves to whatever they need. No questions, no means tests, no judgements passed. Just people helping to reduce waste and support their local community. Nice isn't it? We also hope to use food surplus donations from as many partners as possible to supply our Youth Cafe where young people who are not currently in education or employment are supported by staff to prepare and cook the food. Young people have already gained food safety qualifications as well as practical cookery skills and have printed a cookery book that is available in the community centre. Food donations will also be made available to the diverse range of community groups who use Wallace House Community Centre every day, including Age UK, Stroke Association, RBL, U3A, sports and youth groups, Mind, The Probation Service, Children's Services and many more. Any excess would be passed onto our local foodbank and drop-in diner for those in need. We also hope to work in conjunction with volunteers and local providers to offer free courses in cooking on a budget, healthy eating, food safety, etc. to families and individuals so that they can make the best choices for a healthy lifestyle.