Food For All

On the surface, Pendle Food for All Food Club might seem like an ordinary membership organisation charity. But the distinct buzz the place has at its weekly Thursday opening times sets it far apart; it’s a warm and welcoming environment with a unique feeling, offering a place for volunteers and members alike to socialise, to gain confidence, and to make friends. PFFA has a vital role to play in supporting the people of our local area, especially in these times of increasing hardship, yet, whilst it does still offer fresh food at affordable prices, PFFA is so much more than ‘just another foodbank’ – for its members, trustees, and volunteers, the food club is its own, thriving community.

As is clear immediately upon walking inside, this is no traditional foodbank. In fact, it functions rather like a supermarket, as trustee Vicki Devonport is keen to explain. “People get 10 points to spend,” says Vicki, “and most items are worth a point – things like meat, dairy, sanitary products, as well as essentials such as bread, sugar and eggs. Because we want to encourage healthy eating, there tends to be multiple fruits and veg per point, and, simply due to how expensive they have become, we have to ration some items like oil by making them two points. It’s really good though, people can get about £15-£20 worth of goods from us weekly! It allows for there to be a bit of choice for our members, and there’s an added sense of dignity that comes with that.”

Sustainability is of high importance to everyone involved in the food club: the whole project was built around the idea of saving what would eventually become food waste, and making sure that those who need and deserve it most have access to it. Volunteers are therefore adept in prioritising food with shorter shelf lives, and any food
that can’t be kept for the following week goes straight to the food bank at St Bartholomew’s Church in Colne.

Food is often sourced from many places, but mostly bought from supermarkets and retailers, both local and online. But, for as important as PFFA is to so many, funding and finance for this food isn’t always easy to get. Whilst some do offer free products (including Warburtons and Kellogg’s), less and less is donated by businesses as the weeks go by, in spite of the rising numbers of people in need. Many local retailers have also stopped offering charities cut prices for produce, and whilst they claim to support in other areas, this support sadly often doesn’t extend to places like PFFA.

Sustainability is of high importance to everyone involved in the food club

“We work in partnership with a lot of statutory authorities and businesses who receive funding to deal with the cost-of-living crisis,” Vicki says, “and part of their offer is to give us some funding to buy food, health, and wellbeing products. Whilst we are more than grateful for it, it’s not a massive amount, and it’s also not like we’re guaranteed it every month.

We’re just constantly on the beg from other people, especially as many other places get council funding and so tend to have more than us. Trying to make arrangements, especially with large businesses, when we are trying to do things for our community has been, unfortunately, really quite hard.”

In many cases, the support of members of the community is equally valued, including, but not limited to, fresh produce being donated by local allotments and farmers in the summer months – PFFA really functions as its own little community, and it is just wonderful to see.

I’m so grateful that this place has given me a confidence I otherwise wouldn’t have

The food club currently has around 100 regular members from 24 different countries, and, whilst that number is huge (especially when accounting for the families that these members are able to support thanks to the work of PFFA) the club’s impact is even further reaching. “We try our best to nurture volunteers, too, into both employment and into gaining confidence,” Vicki explains, “we currently have about 20 volunteers, all of whom have gone through safeguarding, diversity, and food hygiene training – we really do try to support them as best as we can. We always say it’s not just about the food, to us the socialising and meeting people is of equal importance.”

Mark, a volunteer at PFFA for over a year, was particularly eager to share his experiences with the food club. “I’m so grateful that this place has given me a confidence I otherwise wouldn’t have,” he says, “it helps to get me out of the house and has allowed me to work up my confidence through talking to others.”

The food club operates from 10.30am-2.30pm on a Thursday at The Zone, Nelson. Support is always welcomed, and, with the inconsistent nature of business funding and commitment, every little really does help. “Generally, we’re looking for people who can commit,” Vicki explains, “from trustees with skills in marketing and social media, to businesses ready to make a monthly commitment.” Contact details can be found on the Pendle Food for All Facebook page.

“I think this sort of activity isn’t going to go away,” PFFA founder Lynne explains, “we don’t see the job as ever being done. But for us success would be for you to come back next year and some clients have moved on, we don’t expect that of everyone of course, but for us it’s about providing a space to nurture people and eventually, when they are ready, giving them the opportunity to move on from us.”

PFFA really is a brilliant project. With as big of an impact has on local Pendle communities, it is hardly a surprise the team won BBC Radio Lancashire’s Community Group Award back in December 2022. And with that award will hopefully come well-deserved recognition and support.

From its consistent offering of food and supplies to its members, to the way it provides vital opportunity for everybody involved to socialise,

Pendle Food For All reflects the folk of Pendle and serves up food with a side order of kindness.

APPEAL

Pendle Food for All is much in need of funding as well as donations of food. One-off donations as well as monthly direct debits can be set up. Please go to localgiving.org/pendle-food-for-all or visit facebook.com/pendlefoodforall/ for more ways to help.

NorthernLife Mar/Apr 23