We’ve written before about the incredible community food projects and support in Landport, Lewes.
The estate is a great example of the impact joined-up thinking around food support can have for the local community. Since that last article the Landport Community Fridge has opened ensuring food ends up in bellies not bins.
The below text is taken from an article in the Lewesian about the Community Cafe project in Landport.
The Lewesian is a local magazine distributed every month and available online. For the full article visit: The Lewesian April 2023 edition
Emily Clarke on Landport Community Cafe:
“the aim of the cafe was to bring the community together to address food waste, somewhere everyone can afford to take a night off from cooking and share a meal with friends and neighbours. Having experienced poverty myself as a single parent in the past and having volunteered at a food bank, it was obvious to me that often poverty and isolation go hand in hand. Spare cash to meet someone for lunch, take the kids out, or head to the pub for a pint and chat after a difficult day isn’t always an option.
In 2020, during the height of the pandemic when we were living with lockdowns and isolation from our friends, neighbours and support networks, Landport Community Cafe successfully adapted to provide meals with a safe delivery service to cafe regulars, as well as those who were unwell or isolating across Lewes…. during this time we provided almost 6000 meals to the community on a pay as you feel basis…. the distanced door step chats were sometimes the only interaction people were having and one recipient described the cafe delivery as a ‘big warm food hug’.
In 2022 we expanded our community food offer and opened Landport Community Fridge & Larder which is situated next to Landport Community Hub. This fridge is open 8am-8pm Monday-Saturday and anyone can access it, dropping off their own surplus food and taking what they need…
Inspired by the work of the Emergency Food Network (part of Lewes District Food Partnership) which aims to share knowledge, experience and best practice among frontline organisations, 2023 is going to be all about partnership working for our projects.”
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