FoodCycle,
the charity that aims to make food poverty, loneliness
and food waste
a thing of the past for every community, won the Community Partner Award
at the FDF Awards last night.
The national charity, which provides
free weekly community meals
using food that would otherwise have gone to waste across England and Wales, was awarded this year’s Community Partner gong for their impressive return to community meals following the pandemic and national lockdowns. FoodCycle CEO Mary McGrath MBE was handed
the prize by celebrity critic and TV presenter Jay Rayner.
FoodCycle CEO Mary McGrath MBE says,
“We are thrilled to win this award, particularly as it recognises the heroic efforts of our amazing regional teams and FoodCycle volunteers who worked tirelessly to help us return to community dining and effectively relaunch 55 Projects since the pandemic.
Giving our guests the chance to meet, dine and enjoy a nourishing meal in a warm, welcoming space has always been our top priority and we are so proud of everyone who continues to make this magic happen every single week.”
Recognising and rewarding excellence for innovation, competitiveness and talent in the food and drink industry, the Food and Drink Federation’s annual awards ceremony took place on Tuesday 29th November 2022. Each year, companies from across the food and drink supply chain enter the FDF Awards, and over 500 guests come together to celebrate the winners.
Since the cost-of-living crisis started, FoodCycle volunteers are busier than ever and the national charity now operates 61 Projects across the country.
A recent guest servey found that 63% FoodCycle guests say they can’t afford to buy the food they need, 75% FoodCycle guests say they often skip meals, 84% FoodCycle guests say that the free community meal helps with their weekly budget.
FoodCycle’s free community meals are open to all, and guests range from low-income families, people affected by homelessness and those who cannot
afford to buy food. No questions asked, you can just turn up and take a seat.
