Pantry 'proud' to save 35 tonnes of food waste

Helping Whittlesey Food Pantry has 24 volunteers and serves about 150 people a week

A community food pantry in Fenland is marking one year since opening after it saved about 35 tonnes of food from going to landfill.

Helping Whittlesey Community Food Pantry was set up by Anna Foster from the town in 2023 and gets regular donations of surplus food and vegetables from supermarkets around the area.

The service operates four-days a week from an outbuilding at The Falcon hotel on London Road and serves about 150 people weekly, with a team of 24 volunteers keeping it going.

Ms Foster said the pantry which is open to "anyone and everyone" is growing "bigger and better" and she feels proud of the journey so far.

'If you can use it, take it'

Ms Foster said the inspiration for the idea came from her husband who works for an environmental organisation in Peterborough and sees a lot of food being wasted.

She believes this is the first initiative of this kind in Whittlesey.

"It's for anyone and everyone. But we are not a food bank. There is a functioning foodbank in town for those who need it.

"But anyone in need of food are welcomed here as well.

"We say - if you can use it, take it. We just want to save the environment and use perfectly edible food and reduce waste", she said.

This week, the pantry received unusual supply of more than 200 frozen pizzas from a Peterborough food basket initiative operated by Children's charity Barnardo's.

"We operate from a small outbuilding so freezer space can be tight",

"Sometimes our volunteers offer their personal freezers as well.

"We are hoping to support some charities this Christmas with their party food so these Pizzas can come in use for that as well," she said.

Anna Foster hopes most of the pizzas will be gone by the weekend

The pantry received some funding from Peterborough Environment City Trust or Pect.

The service has recently expanded to two further locations including one in the village of Coates.

It also operates a school cabin at a Coates school with books and toys for children in need and supports a youth group with donations of bread.

This year, more than 200 children will also be supported with Christmas presents, Ms Foster said.

"We are absolutely going to continue doing what we are doing. We are growing bigger and better."