Accrington and Rossendale College
Accrington and Rossendale College Food Group saves over 25 tonnes of food from landfill
"Accrington and Rossendale College purchase the food from FareShare, a charitable organisation who aim to reduce food waste and relieve food poverty."
Stuart PikeRossendale Free Press Deputy Editor
Alex is a Food Group volunteer
The volunteer-led food group based on Sandy Lane at Accrington and Rossendale College have been opening their doors for people to collect food for more than three years.
The Food Share group is proud to have rescued more than 25,000kg of food - or 25 tonnes - otherwise destined for landfill.
It was created following a conversation between Charlotte Scheffmann, Dean of Higher Education, and Facility Worker James Crane, and has seen demand rise since the Covid crisis.
Charlotte said: "Accrington and Rossendale College purchase the food from FareShare, a charitable organisation who aim to reduce food waste and relieve food poverty. This is our way of helping the environment, contributing to sustainability and also giving back to our local community.
"During the pandemic we have seen an increase in people using the food group and it is really important people know they are welcome to use this service, no matter their personal circumstance. Come along to help the environment, save food from landfill and feed your family."
The food group is open every Wednesday 9.15am to 11am, 50 weeks of the year, only closing for Christmas and New Year.
People are invited to turn up at the Sandy Lane entrance to the college and make their way down the right-hand side of the building where smiling volunteers are ready to help.
Kyle, Food Group co-ordinator said: "Using the food group is really simple. People come along with their empty shopper bag and we fill it for them with a wide range of food…everything from fresh fruit to frozen chips! There are different items every week and, although donations are welcome to help keep the service running, we do not ask for any payment in return."
Food group volunteer Alex added: "There are no barriers to visiting us, no questions asked, no details taken. Alongside local residents we also have students and staff that use the food group, and on average we help around 15 families every Wednesday."
As part of the Community Champions Initiative, Hyndburn Borough Council are working to highlight and celebrate the fantastic work so many organisations are doing across the borough, while making sure residents know how to access help, if they need it.
Lyndsey Sims, Hyndburn Community Champions Project Lead, said: "This fantastic group at Accrington and Rossendale College existed long before the pandemic and they have stepped up even further after need has increased in the last year.
"Well done to everyone involved, especially the volunteers who are dedicating their time to this great cause, and to the college for choosing to invest in this way."
For more information about the Hyndburn Community Champions Initiative visit: www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/communitychampions/
Download the LancsLive app for free on iPhone here and Android here.
You can sign up for free daily updates with the LancsLive newsletter here.
Preston North End FCPreston North End's January transfer window confirmed what we already knewPNE brought in Tom Cannon, Liam Delap and Josh Onomah
Lewis Capaldi invites fans to 'touch his bum' at Madame Tussauds Blackpool
'I wish I'd never had this haircut, but it is forever immortalised in this wax figure. I love it. For fans I think it will be great, they can come and touch my bum'