GAIL'S Bakery Cheltenham (opening 16th July)

We are a small rural community group that distributes surplus fresh food collected from various nearby urban supermarkets and food outlets to individual families within our local community at no charge to those who benefit. A dedicated space with a fridge / freezer has been set aside in the village for this initiative providing us with the opportunity to help local families keep their fresh food costs down and provide a vital service to the community many of whom cannot get to a food bank. With some disadvantaged users identified by our local schools, community groups and local Councillors, the primary purpose is for this perfectly edible food to be consumed rather than being thrown into landfill. Our sole focus is on the distrubution of surplus food with some 3.8 tonnes being collected per annum which equates to the provision of over 8,000 meals. Equally as important, this consumption of food rather than being thrown away has resulted in over 12 tonnes of CO2 being averted from entering the atmosphere every year.

We work with people who through encouragement, hope and belief can make positive, sustainable changes to their aspirations, attitudes, behaviours and health and enables them to contribute successfully to the communities in which they live.