Kinder Kind of Kitchen

In 2023/2024, our community initiative will be supporting people to overcome the main challenge many people across Cumbria and Lancashire face daily: food poverty.

Launched in June 2023, Kinder Kind of Kitchens is a community initiative by The Cumberland in partnership with FareShare Lancashire and Cumbria. Because when times get tough, this is a kinder kind of place.

We’re donating £250,000 to FareShare Lancashire and Cumbria to offer funding to every one of FareShare’s Community Food Members in Cumbria, and some in Lancashire. This will help serve hot meals and provide food to people in the region who are experiencing food poverty.

This year, our pledge for votes fund will also support FareShare Lancashire and Cumbria. We will donate a fund to provide fridges, freezers and chiller cabinets to members who need them.

Who are FareShare?
FareShare is the UK’s national network of charitable food redistributors. They take surplus food from the food industry and get it to charities and community groups who need it. In Lancashire and Cumbria, FareShare is operated by the charity Recycling Lives Social Enterprise. From their distribution centre in Preston, they deliver thousands of tonnes of food providing millions of meals to communities across the counties every year. You can read more about what they do on their website.
Who uses FareShare?
FareShare supports Community Food Members (CFMs). This can include kitchens serving hot food, foodbanks, community supermarkets, breakfast clubs, and more. They get a range of fresh, frozen, ambient and chilled produce during weekly deliveries to distribute to people in need.
How will The Cumberland’s donation be used?
FareShare Lancashire and Cumbria already operate in the area, so our donation will help deliver, enhance and expand this important work. The donation will allow CFMs to invest in more food or expand their provision for our communities.
I am involved in a food poverty organisation. How can I apply for support from FareShare Lancashire and Cumbria?
Please contact Naomi Winter at: CFM@recyclinglives.org.