I first came across Food Works by accident. Wondering what the queue was outside a unit on Carlisle Street above Tesco around lunchtime, I discovered The Real Junk Food Project… aimed at reducing food waste by distributing food with short use by dates to customers for a minimum contribution of £1!!
Curious, I joined the queue, and discovered to my delight a selection of sourdough breads (amongst other offerings of vegetables, flowers and chilled food). What a find and at a fraction of the price paid in M&S. And I’ve never looked back! I still get much of my food from Food Works, now based at a warehouse in Handsworth. Easy to get on a 52 bus.
The staff and volunteers do an amazing job there, whether it’s sorting, distributing, displaying or serving customers. I have always found them patient, friendly and courteous. Saving money and helping the planet by reducing food waste is a win-win for me!
I joined Food Works as a volunteer in the cafe in Zest, Upperthorpe in 2022. I love the variety of task – from prepping food to cooking, from serving customers to boxing up meals, and cleaning and tidying. It’s both a thrill and a challenge to figure out what will be on the menu each day as we never know what will be in the delivery from the warehouse!
Being originally from Germany, a “Kraut” in other words, I will volunteer to tackle the cabbages when we have them… so the red cabbage dish might well have been prepared by me! It might not be to the original recipe, as we will have to be creative and use what is available in our store cupboard. Fennel seed might replace caraway, and of course, allergens should be taken into account. So no dish will be the same. And that’s the fun of it!
And, of course, with opportunities like barista training to make the perfect cappuccino, pickling and kitchen skills workshops, I have been expanding my own skill set.
And being part of a diverse team of great individuals. I have met so many lovely people. It’s also great to see the changes we make by providing tasty and affordable meals. Best of all is knowing that I belong to an organisation that contributes so much to social change, champions the environment and provides opportunities for inclusion.
Thank you, Food Works! – Heidrun
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Find out about volunteering opportunities by visiting our volunteering page or sign up today using the volunteer application form.
