About Cirencester Pantry
Learn all about us and what makes us tick. Discover the principles and ethos behind our project.
Cirencester Pantry is a member-based community initiative for people to access surplus food which would have otherwise gone to landfill.
Run by its members
It’s very important to us that the pantry is managed and run entirely by its members.
Our work is mostly undertaken by volunteers, and all members of the Pantry are encouraged to volunteer.
Find out more about what it’s like to be a member and how to join
How it all began
The pantry began in 2023, founded by Mary, Sue and Claire, who visited a similar project in Oxford and were inspired to create Cirencester Pantry to help reduce food waste in Cirencester.
Built on Partnerships
We couldn’t operate without the support of our partners.
Cotswold District Council provide funding and their Community Wellbeing team was instrumental in introducing us to FareShare.
FareShare is the UK’s national network of charitable food redistributors who were already interested in serving the Cotswolds. From CDC’s introduction, we were able to secure a weekly delivery slot for Cirencester. Every week FareShare delivers 160kg of food to Stroud which we collect and distribute to members at the Friday afternoon Pantry session at Watermoor Hall.
Cirencester Round Table provides vital transport every week, enabling us to collect the food from Stroud.
We don’t forget our pets and are supplied surplus pet food from Pets at Home.
In addition to FareShare, we also have arrangements with supermarkets Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, Lidl and Aldi, and local food suppliers including Jesse Smiths, Bramleys and Market Garden who all provide surplus goods.
Cirencester Pantry is supported by Roots and Seeds Kitchen Garden. The wonderful Sam and Toby who run Roots and Seeds often come to Cirencester Pantry to run cooking demonisations for our members- showing how ingredients from the pantry can be used in delicious and nutritious meals. These sessions are always enjoyed by our members and give them the chance to try foods and ideas they may not have tried before.
Cirencester Pantry run regular events at Roots and Seeds such educational programmes for the children in the school holidays. This give the chance for children to experience first hand how food is grown whilst exploring the great outdoors.
Members have also attended courses themselves at Roots and Seeds to learn how to grow their own vegetables and gives members chance to come together to learn new skills.
Roots and Seeds is a wonderful restaurant and cafe that can be found at the Old Kennels in Cirencester Park. More information can be found on their website
Another exciting food source we have started to distribute is vacuum-packed pouches of casserole made from venison and pheasant that would go into landfill after shooting and culling seasons. Both venison and pheasant are valuable sources of protein, low in fat and free of additives.
Interested in joining Cirencester Pantry?