West Sussex Teams Up to Fight Food Waste with Community Food Hubs
West Sussex County Council is battling food waste head-on by joining forces with Sussex charity UKHarvest and waste giant Biffa to roll out more Community Food Hubs.
Food Hubs Tackle Rising Cost of Living
With costs soaring, these hubs offer locals the chance to grab surplus food for just a small voluntary donation. It’s a win-win, cutting waste and stretching household budgets. Plus, handy education sessions teach people how to stop perfectly good grub from ending up in the bin.
Success Story Sparks Expansion Across Sussex
Last year’s trial saw hubs pop up in Bognor Regis, Crawley, and Southwick. Over six months, they saved 7 tonnes of food and helped nearly 3,000 residents. Now, the scheme’s booming, with seven hubs open monthly across every district until April 2024.
Community Benefits Beyond Food Rescue
- Residents bring their own bags to collect a wide range of rescued food
- Child-friendly spaces encourage all ages to join in
- Free recipes and info stalls cover waste prevention, wellbeing, and Citizen Advice
Sarah Morison, UKHarvest Partnership Manager, said: “We believe that by sharing this rescued produce we can bring the community together to all tackle food waste.”
Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, added: “Reducing food waste is central to our council plan, and our extended partnership with UKHarvest and Biffa will help us achieve this goal.”
Find your nearest Community Food Hub and dates here.