Free meals to tackle poverty, loneliness and waste

Volunteer cook Ann Wyatt says more help would be welcomed "with open arms"

A charity that provides free food has appealed for volunteers as it prepares for its first "community meal" in a new location.

FoodCycle is about to launch a weekly meal in Ipswich to help tackle food poverty, loneliness and waste.

It says its projects across the region have already served more than 12,400 meals this year, and saved more than 37 tonnes of food from being thrown away.

Holly Wright, FoodCycle’s regional manager, said: "There is high demand for free food across the country, particularly as the high cost of living continues to affect everything from fuel bills to food costs."

Holly Wright, from FoodCycle, says the meal is open to anyone who wants to come along and there is no need to book

The Ipswich meal will be served every Tuesday at 1600 GMT at Burlington Baptist Church, in London Road, starting from 1 October.

The charity runs 94 community meals nationally, but this is the first in Suffolk.

Volunteers use surplus supermarket food to make vegetarian dishes.

The meals are aimed at low-income families, older people, refugees, people who live alone, and those who may be homeless - although anyone is welcome.

Ann Wyatt, Jane Hunt and Dawn Herbert cooked a vegetable stew to test if they were ready for the first guests

Ann Wyatt explained why she volunteered.

She said: "I love cooking so I thought I'd have a go, and here I am.

"This brings together my concern about food waste... and also thinking about those less well-off, particularly at the moment with food prices and energy prices going through the roof.

"I just think it's a really good way of joining those two things together and trying to help people."

Volunteer cook Jane Hunt roasted tomatoes and added onions, garlic and herbs to make the soup, which was served with crispy kale on top

Ms Wright invited local organisations, including Community Action Suffolk, to a test meal.

She said: "We are open to absolutely anyone who wants to come and eat with us.

"We have a meal at four o'clock, so we're hoping that maybe young families who are coming after school can come.

"You may be elderly and want some company, or be struggling to afford to buy meals every week.

Robyn Creighton is a volunteer host after the charity contacted the Oak Tree Community Farm in Ipswich, where she is a member

Robyn Creighton, a volunteer host, said: "The process of joining as a volunteer I thought was really good.

"There were some small videos to watch [on the charity's website] they were engaging.

"I got a lovely welcoming email, and the whole process was really simple and it felt like you were wanted."

Volunteering roles include cooking, hosting and pot-washing.

No prior qualifications or experience are needed to volunteer and there is no minimum weekly commitment.