WHO WE ARE
Food Friends combats food waste whilst bringing the community together with every bite.
Our volunteer cooks, armed with saucepans and a little bit of spare time, have shared over 8,500 meals so far. The project spans generations with our youngest cook aged 18 and our eldest Food Friend 104.
We enjoy bringing our Food Friends community together – whether over a delicious meal with a glass of wine or for a cuppa and a slab of cake – we love to celebrate the making of incredible new and lasting friendships.
VISION
MISSION
VOLUNTEER
FOUNDER ANNA MANTELL – HOW IT ALL STARTED
Hey there! My name is Anna and at the end of 2018 I embarked on the mission to set up Food Friends!
The impetus for doing so was meeting a remarkable woman in her late 80’s- June. June lives alone in the centre of Whitstable, a beautiful seaside town attracting thousands of tourists every year. Yet, despite the hubbub of this thriving town, June often feels lonely among the masses.
Communities are often not as tight knit as they used to be “back in the day.” We all lead such busy lives and often fail to notice those in need around us. Whitstable benefits from a caring community spirit and I developed Food Friends to enable all those who love to cook, no matter how busy, the opportunity to connect with their community. Sharing food is a fantastic way of forming new friendships. Whether young or old, Food Friends benefits the whole community. Age alone is not an indicator of how isolated, vulnerable or in need someone may be.
When I met June I had two young children, and although there were 53 years between us we formed a strong connection. A friendship that helped me through those challenging years when the children were young.
Here’s to many more years of friendship June!