User:Hsspence131/FoodCycle

'FoodCycle is a non-profit organization that operates by setting up groups of volunteers to collect surplus produce locally and prepare nutritious meals in unused professional kitchen spaces that are served to those in need in the local community.

The aim of FoodCycle is to redirect the millions of tons of edible food thrown out very year by retailers so it can be used to cook nutritious meals for people in the local community that do not have access to healthy foods for a variety of reasons, such as lack of income or knowledge of healthy nutrition.

The organization is headquartered in London, England and has operations throughout the United Kingdom (see list of operations below).

History

 * In September 2008, Canadian Kelvin Cheung founded FoodCycle. He decided to start the organization after hearing about the US on-campus student service program,Campus Kitchen, where students use on-campus kitchen space and donated food from their cafeterias to prepare nourishing meals for their communities.


 * Support to start the organization was been given by MyBnk, READ International, FareShare and CIVA.


 * FoodCycle’s pilot hubs were at the Imperial College London and the London School of Economics.


 * In October 2010, the first Community Café at Stroud Green, Haringey, London, called Station House was opened.


 * Since its founding FoodCycle has collected over 7,749 kg of surplus food, served over 13,946 meals, and volunteers have clocked in over 7,218 hours.

Philosophy

 * FoodCycle’s mission is to combine volunteers, surplus food and a free kitchen space to create nutritious meals and positive social change in the community.


 * The three main issues the organization tackles are
 * Food waste− An estimated 400,000 tonnes of surplus food can be reclaimed each year from the food retailer industry to be made into healthy and nutritous meals. Part of the inspiration to combat the problem of food waste in the United Kingdom.
 * Food poverty− There are 4 million people affected by food poverty in the UK. BAPEN estimates that malnutrition costs the National Health Service 13 billion pounds each and every year.
 * Volunteering− Over 2.4m people in the UK are currently searching for work, including almost 1m 16-25 yr olds. These people need opportunities to develop skills and affect their community positively.

Current Food Hubs and Community Cafes
There are five hubs where volunteers come together to cook meals in London
 * Bloomsbury
 * Bugbugs
 * Imperial
 * LSE
 * SOAS

And eight hubs out of London
 * Birmingham
 * Bristol
 * Cambridge
 * Durham
 * Leeds
 * Liverpool
 * Manchester
 * Norwich

There also is the Station House Community Café located at Stroud Green, Haringey, London.

Funders

 * Big Lottery Fund
 * Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
 * Arthur Guinness Fund
 * The Funding Network
 * UnLtd
 * Vinspired

Food Partners

 * Abel & Cole
 * Cheese Cellar
 * London Farmers’ Markets
 * Mr. Organic
 * Planet Organic
 * Sainsbury’s
 * Whole Foods Market

Achievements

 * In March 2010, named New Charity of the Year for the Charity Times Awards
 * In November 2010, recieved award from the Arthur Guinness Fund
 * In January 2011, received the Prime Minister's Big Society Award.