Lidl Bristol Longwell Green

Supporting families across the Bristol and South Gloucestershire areas since March 2018 to reduce costs and save money, reduce waste and the amount that goes to landfill and finally, create a stronger community spirit. At Mamas Bristol, we believe in the power of community and collective action to create positive change. Our ethos is rooted in a multiple pronged approach; affordability, sustainability, and inclusivity across the community. Affordability: We are committed to supporting families by providing access to resources and solutions that reduce costs of living with and raising dependents. By offering practical guidance, we aim to alleviate financial pressures and empower families to thrive.  Sustainability: We recognise the importance of preserving our planet for future generations. That's why we promote and work towards sustainable practices & promote opportunities that minimise waste and environmental impact.  Community: At the heart of everything we do, is a strong sense of community. We believe in the strength of solidarity and collaboration to address common challenges and achieve shared goals. By fostering connections and building relationships, we create a support network where families can find solidarity, encouragement, and inspiration. We are more than just a Facebook group, an organisation or any one person - we are a movement. A movement dedicated to making a difference in the lives of families, our communities, and the world we share.

We are a community fridge that takes surplus food from local businesses and suppliers, using trained volunteers, and make it available in a public place to anyone who wants it. Our current home is in the library in the Keynsham Civic Centre on Market Walk. The main purpose of the community fridge is to reduce food waste. Food waste is a big issue in the UK. Around 10 million tonnes of food waste is produced in the UK every year, of this an estimated 60% could be avoided. Food waste also produces greenhouse gases when it decomposes  and is a net contributor to global warming.  On average, over the last 4 years, we have kept 1.5 tonnes of food waste per month out of landfill. The food, mostly fresh food, although we do also receive some ambient food, is available for free to anyone who wants it, with no eligibility requirements. In taking food people are asked to consider others, we get approximately 50 people per day using our service, and take only one small bag of food per person, per day. Our service helps to address food poverty as well as raise awareness about waste, food security and living in a sustainable manner. We are a not for profit company limited by guarantee. We are registered as a Food Company by B&NES and have completed all the HACCP protocols, risk assessments and health & safety protocols. Our policies can be seen in the documents of this page.

We are BS15 CIC has been running since 2021. Our first project, The Kingswood Kitchen opened in June 2021, with three other projects following within 18 months; The Trinity Food Garden, The Beacon Cafe Hanham and The Kingswood Food Club. The Kingswood Kitchen now serves an average of 80-100 hot meals every Thursday. It runs on a pay-as-you-can model and is open to any household local to BS15. The Food Club redistributes food surplus to support 40-50 households each week with affordable food. Households pay a £2 annual membership and £3 for a bag of shopping worth £15-£20 at supermarket prices. The Beacon Cafe is (open Wednesday to Saturday) thriving and now hosts a dementia cafe, social group for deaf people and other informal groups. It uses a 'Pay-as-You-Can' model. Our organisational aims are to reduce food inequality and social isolation in the area while also reducing food waste.