Banbury Larder celebrates first year with expansion plans on the horizon
22/04/2025
Over 100 people regularly use the larder, which offers more than just food support
The first anniversary of a scheme which tackles food insecurity and the issues around it, whilst reducing food waste, has been celebrated in Banbury today.
The Banbury Larder has been operating from Banbury Methodist Church every Tuesday between 2pm and 4pm for the last year.
Its part of the Sofea Network – a charity which takes surplus food in the supply chain and redistributes it. At launch the Banbury Larder became the twentieth larder in Oxfordshire.
Over 100 people regularly use the larder which, in return for a small payment, allows them to take groceries which in total would have cost far more in a shop.
But the larder offers more than just food support, with a Job Club providing assistance with putting together an effective CV, interview skills, and job applications.
The weekly sessions also provide a welcoming social space with a kitchen offering free food and drinks to both members and non-members.
Fiaz Ahmed is a co-founder of the Banbury Larder and proud of the impact the project is having on local people. He said: “It’s actually a family. There’s so many people that are involved, from the volunteer side, but more so from the members here.”
Mr Ahmed explained how they were hoping to grow the project for more people in Banbury. “We want to have another food larder in Grimsbury and one in Ruscote,” he said. “We want to expand the lunch club that we have on the first Wednesday of every month.
“If anybody wants to volunteer to help please contact us. We’re very easy to get hold of: come down on a Tuesday at 2pm and talk to us.”
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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