Published on Monday 01 April 2024
Last December we set up a temporary storage unit, the One Stop Glut Hut, to store and distribute over 3,000 kilograms of donated food to residents.
We started early – talking to partners at the end of the summer about what was needed and finding a suitable venue that would enable us 24-hour access.
With a £7,500 grant from the BCP Food and Energy Support Fund, we purchased fridges, freezers and storage units, setting up in a vacant hall provided by the Bournemouth Foodbank.
George, our temporary project officer, helped manage the facility, worked with partners and food donors, and set up a member’s agreement and sign in system.
We also produced ‘how to’ videos to help partners safely store food, and shared regular updates on deliveries on a WhatsApp group.
The One Stop Glut Hut was used by 15 of our partners who worked around the clock to get the food out to residents.
It was all about the veg though, and some surprises!
Sadly, we saw a decline in poultry and meat donations - we know supermarkets are becoming increasingly more targeted in their Christmas food buying to reduce waste and costs.
Consumers are also savvier when it comes to yellow discounted items so less comes our way.
Donated tomatoes, potatoes, carrot and cream were whizzed up to make soups and stews to be served at community meals and used as part of dinners for the homeless.
An expected delivery of ice-cream and pizza dough, dropped off by a local business, was used in a buffet for a Christmas party for refugees and struggling families. Six, eighty litre bags of Cornish pasties were also eaten by guests at a social canteen.
Where possible, nothing went to waste.
We learnt a lot, through trial and error.
The One Stop Glut Hut helped reduce some of the pressure partners experience over Christmas by giving them extra storage and space to prepare.
We were also able to provide storage and share donations to other organisations that would benefit. A baby charity was able to collect and store formula milk and nappies, while dog food was sent to a local dog homing charity.
While we have found a good use for the fridges, freezers and storage, a permanent common store would be of benefit and help us to monitor and distribute food surplus locally. It also has the potential of being used again at other times of the year, for example at October harvest.
If we were to do it again, we would contact the supermarkets much earlier to understand their Christmas food plans.
We can always use food donations – it can be frozen, preserved and used as part of a recipe – something we didn’t always take advantage of.
By working together as a partnership, we continue to ensure food surplus goes to the most vulnerable in our communities and doesn’t go to waste. The One Stop Glut Hut made it easier for us to share the food and our resources.
To find out more about the One Stop Glut Hut and the Access to Food Partnership, please contact Lucy McQuillin by email: lucymcquillin@bcha.org.uk