The idea
A van will enable to rescue more food from places it might otherwise become waste, such as supermarkets, warehouses, restaurants, farms, etc. We will then redistribute that food from our cafe/shop. We have future plans to redistribute it to schools where it will be used to teach global sustainable development goals (set out by the UN) We are the only working example of the circular economy in Doncaster and aim to take this into schools with our food. School children will have the chance to experience the circular economy and to create their own truly innovative self managed food waste projects. We will ensure we reach families at risk of food poverty, but we will go much further to empower children and local communities to deal with food waste and its consequences of hunger and climate change, and create systemic change. Our project is fully accessible to all regardless of ability, physical health or background. All of our food is and will stay available on a pay as you feel basis.
What we'll deliver
- Rescue and redistribute over 30 tonnes every 12 months
- Prevent over 130 tonnes of co2e from being released into the atmosphere every 12 months
- Feed over 7000 bellies not bins every 12 months
- Host numerous community events serving pay as you feel food
Why it's a great idea
The global contradiction at the heart of our mission is that 1.3 billion tonnes of food is thrown away, causing incalculable environmental damage and wasting vast natural resources. One estimate suggests that if human beings only produced the food they needed, an area the size of Mexico could be reclaimed from farming. Yet, simultaneously, some 800 million people across the planet are malnourished
Systemic change requires work from and with the public, businesses and legislators.
So we will: engage and educate the public from a fully accessible town centre venue we are currently creating.
Champion local businesses who are working with us to ensure edible food waste does not go to landfill or AD
Campaign with other projects doing the same thing in other towns, to ask for carefully considered legislation to address edible food waste from farm to fork with measures for fairer distribution.
The Real Junk Food Project Doncaster is a volunteer led and ran community cafe.
Steps to get it done
- Buying and insuring a van
- Rescue & redistribute a min 5 tonnes of food (with fuel for school it will be more) within 12 monrhs
- Celebrate and enjoy together rescued meals and groceries on a pay as you feel basis (already underway)
Our current cafe and work has already proven regenerative and engaged the local community. We did that by using an empty shop with owners permission and no budget. Everything was reused and upcycled and our community made it happen. We had no hot running water or heating and we faced and met every challenge. Despite huge restrictions we won a National Industry Award for Sustainability and were invited to London. We have begun work in the arts with pop up gallery space and showcasing upcycling. This will continue and develop in our new venue. We have built close working relationships with other local organisations. Through redistribution of our food, we reach women suffering domestic violence, refugees and asylum seekers and we supported the Amber project working with street level sex workers. Age uk and even corporates like the Frenchgate centre work with us. Our cafe is visited by families with young children and elderly people, many of whom help us run the project. We are community.
