The Chippy Larder Community Project!

Today we highlight the ‘Chippy Larder’ Community Project. Located in the Guidhall, Chipping Norton, our Property Services Team donated much-needed equipment to aid the charity who support our local communities and help to ensure food waste is eradicated and redistributed.

UK food and drink waste in the UK is around 15 million tonnes annually, the equivalent value of £17billion.  The average UK household throws away 260 kg of food and drinks per year.  Each day in the UK on average we throw away 5.5 million potatoes, 1.4 million bananas, 1.5 million sausages, and 1.1 million eggs (source - all figures from WRAP).    

This is why we are proud to support the Chippy Larder Community Project and a big thank you to our Property Services Team (including Store Development & Merchandising) who were in involved.

 

What is the ‘Chippy Larder’?

Located in the Guildhall, Chipping Norton, The Chippy Larder is an innovative concept in Community Larders, providing low cost, high-quality food which will be opening its doors to all in September 2020. Led by Rizvana Poole in order to serve the local community, the shop will provide produce donated by supermarkets and local farms - food that would otherwise go to waste in environmentally costly disposal.

 

#Valuesinaction and supporting our communities

An opportunity not to be missed, the project outlined our #Valuesinaction perfectly. Helping those that are helping others, the Chippy Larder made much-needed use from our donated shelving to display their produce. Our property team did a fantastic job while working on the project, not only donating the fixtures to the site but providing their invaluable expertise for the job. Exceeding expectations by implementing the correct safety requirements, planning and final fit-out as if it was one of our own stores. They demonstrated a fantastic commitment to supporting the local community.

 

 

Our Installed Shelving – Before

 

How does it work and aid the community?

Installed using community volunteering hours, it will help the ‘The Chippy Larder’ charity store food from SOFEA (based in Didcot). SOFEA, in partnership with FareShare, rescue (from suppliers/supermarkets) and re-distribute hundreds of tonnes of food surplus each year throughout the Thames Valley region, supporting families in need while reducing food waste. The majority of this food would have ended up in a landfill without SOFEA and in Chipping Norton they provide food packages to as many people in need as possible. 

The finished shelving at the Chippy Larder launch – After

 

Who will use it?

For £3.50 members of the Chippy Larder can choose 10 store cupboard items for themselves. These will include the weekly staples such as pasta, tinned food, tea and in addition, customers will also receive a bag of fresh fruit and vegetables. However, for £7.00 they can select twenty store cupboard items to help feed a family for a week – and receive a bag of fresh fruit and vegetables.

The larder is open on Fridays & Saturdays and members can come and choose their food items as part of their weekly shop. All the food made available is free with the weekly fee of £3.50 or £7.00 made directly to SOFEA to cover administration, storage, wages and delivery costs. For more information see here.

The Chippy Larder process for their members

“I started The Chippy Larder in March anticipating that perhaps 30 homes would join the scheme, we ended with 644 homes. Thanks to SOFEA, Chipping Norton Leisure Centre, Midcounties (plus other organisations) and our army of volunteers, I believe we have made a huge difference to our community over an extraordinarily difficult time. The first era of The Chippy Larder has now come to an end and it's been awesome, incredibly tough and very emotional. The Midcounties team took the vision of the new Chippy Larder and elevated it to new heights, teamwork made the dream work! The next era of The Chippy Larder begins now - Bring it on!" Rizvana Poole, The Chippy Larder

 

Supporting our communities and members is at the heart of what we do at Midcounties, and always will be.