New pop-up community larder

A WEEKLY pop-up community larder will be launched on Thursday.

Henley YMCA in Lawson Road has partnered with SOFEA, a charity based in Didcot, and Fare Share, which redistributes food to charities.

Charities can receive good-to-eat food that would be otherwise wasted due to Fare Share’s partnerships with food manufacturers, retailers and growers.

The pop-up will take place every Thursday from 2pm to 4pm and will be fun by the volunteer staff at Henley YMCA.

Members can receive a week’s worth of food, costing £15, for £4.50.

Family membership, which costs £36 per month, allows for up to 28 items per week.

Individual membership, which costs £18 per month, allows for up to 14 items per week.

Each membership has a £10 joining fee.

Louise Colam, community engagement coordinator at Henley YMCA, said: “With cost rises, the scheme offers a great opportunity to save on food bills, stop unnecessary waste and be a way for people to connect over tea and coffee.

“Non-usable fruit and vegetables will go into our new food composter to be used in all our gardening spaces.

”We’re hoping to pair this scheme with our new cookery courses, which will hopefully start in November, using leftover food to run it.”