Ards hub collects unsold food from supermarkets
By Joe McCann
A NEWTOWNARDS based community hub is providing almost 500 meals per week using surplus food from large supermarkets.
The Warehouse is a long-running community hub which has been based in the town centre for 20 years and plays a vital role in tackling food insecurity in the area.
Working in partnership with Tesco’s Community Food Connection programme and the charity Fareshare, leftover food is turned into nutritious and filling meals instead of being wasted or thrown out.
Each week The Warehouse produces around 100 fresh or frozen dinners, 90 sandwiches, 180 lunches and 120 hot meals. On top of this, a communal fridge and cupboard are kept stocked for anyone who needs them.
The food is collected five days a week by three volunteer drivers before being prepared by two chefs and a team of helpers.
Megan Weiman, community manager at The Warehouse said people can simply call in to pick up a meal, but there is also a food counter serving hot meals, tea and coffee throughout the day.
“It’s a warm, welcoming space where people can sit down, have a chat, and feel part of the community,” said Megan.
A survey carried out by the group found that 36% of those using the food hub are on benefits, 30% work while also receiving benefits and 20% are in work but not entitled to any benefits.
Megan stated the group is seeing more and more people who are coming in needing help who are in full-time employment.
“We’re seeing more and more people in work who still need help,” she said. “Rising food costs make it difficult to cook healthy meals at home. Half of our users rely on these meals to eat well, and for many others, especially those with mental or physical health conditions or who care for someone else, it’s simply a more manageable way to get a nourishing meal.”
The charity explained that seeking help with food insecurity is often the first step in helping people access wider support.
Megan said: “Providing food opens the door to other support. We can then have conversations around housing, employment, benefits or just get people involved in our wider programmes, such as arts and crafts workshops, sewing groups, and life skills courses.”
The Community Food Connection scheme ensures surplus food from Tesco is distributed to charities and community groups across the country.
Claire De Silva, Tesco Head of Community, said: “Working with community groups to help them get the food they need is such an important service for us to be able to provide. The dedication they have to their community is amazing, and we are pleased to do what we can to support.
“We firmly believe no good food should go to waste, which is why we began our Community Food Connection scheme. It enables us to ensure our surplus food is put to good use in communities.”
