Last week, we were absolutely thrilled to welcome the fantastic team from Linear Recruitment for a team volunteering away day.
We want to say a massive thank you to them for choosing to spend their morning with us. As a non-profit, we rely immensely on the energy and passion of local businesses – and the Linear team brought both! They rolled up their sleeves and jumped straight into our warehouse operations, making a tangible difference from the moment they arrived.
What a morning in the warehouse looks like
The Linear Recruitment team didn’t just shadow our staff – they became part of the team for their morning with us. Following a tour of the warehouse, they tackled a variety of essential tasks:
- Setting up the market: Transforming crates of intercepted surplus into an inviting, shopping experience with a huge selection of quality food.
- Sorting the freezers: Organising our frozen produce so that the warehouse team can find things quickly during a busy shift.
- Managing cafe orders: Picking and packing items for each of our cafes for delivery the next day.
- Packing Patron Boxes: Hand-selecting a variety of surplus food for our subscribers, which directly funds our many projects including school food growing.
- Serving customers: Welcoming visitors and guiding them around the market to help them find what they needed.
The impact of the day
We caught up with the team after their away day to see how the experience felt from their perspective.
While many of us try to minimise food waste at home, seeing the sheer volume of surplus food rescued from large corporations was a massive eye-opener for the Linear team.
“We came away with more awareness of food waste, and will try to reduce it within our own homes. Seeing the scale of goods from large companies was really eye-opening.
But there was a lovely community feel and nice to see how everyone was welcome from any walks of life. People can come and have a warm drink/meet people before being able to find such a big selection of food to purchase at a reasonable price. The frozen meals are such a good idea – and so affordable!“
Stepping out of the office
Volunteering pushes teams outside of their usual comfort zones and daily routines. For Linear Recruitment, it was the perfect chance to give back and get to know other members of the team.
“It was lovely to get out of the office and mix with teams we don’t usually spend as much time with day-to-day. It is something we all then came back into the office and discussed with our other colleagues.”
Why they chose Food Works
Having previously volunteered at a traditional food bank, the team wanted to experience a different perspective on community support and sustainability.
“We love Food Work’s mission, and after seeing first hand what they do for the community, it is something we would like to continue to support. I would definitely encourage others to do the same, and even to sign up to a patron box to support Food Works.”
Host your next team day at Food Works
Linear Recruitment’s day is just one example of how local businesses can give back while treating their staff to a rewarding, bonding experience. We don’t just offer one-size-fits-all days. You can choose an environment that suits your team’s vibe:
- The warehouse and market: Ideal for teams who love organisation, sorting scale logistics, and seeing the massive impact of rescued food.
- The cafe: Perfect for teams who want to prep and cook food for our Just Meals, and to see how we put surplus to good use.
- The farm: Great for teams who want to get outdoors, connect with nature, and help us grow sustainable produce.
Volunteering with us tackles food waste head-on, strengthens our local community, and brings a shared, rewarding sense of purpose back into your workplace culture
Ready to get your team out of the office and into the community? Contact us today to book your Food Works team day!
