Stirling’s Free Community Food Hub, a project that has been running since March 2020 and supports around 80 people daily, is set to close its doors next month. The project has been operated by Transition Stirling in partnership with the Kitchen at 44 in the Wellgreen area of Stirling. The initiative aims to combat food waste by collecting surplus food from local supermarkets and distributing it to members of the community for free.
Transition Stirling made the announcement this week, stating that after careful consideration, they have decided to close the free section of the Community Food Project as it is no longer sustainable. The closure is scheduled for 7th December 2024, marking the end of a transformative project that has helped divert 740 tonnes of food waste from landfill and assisted an average of 80 people per day, four days a week.
Despite the closure of the free food aspect, Transition Stirling plans to continue running other projects at different sites, such as the Tool Library, ReBoot, and events at the ReUse Hub and Reclaimers. The organization acknowledged the significant loss that the closure represents not only to their team and volunteers but also to the Stirlingshire community. Alternative support for those in need of food assistance is available at Start Up Stirling, with welfare advice offered by Citizens Advice and Stirling.
One visitor to the Community Food Project, Linda McCallum, expressed her disappointment at the impending closure, highlighting the important role the hub played in reducing food waste and supporting the local community. Reports suggest that some volunteers are exploring the possibility of collaborating with a local businessman to organize a one-off distribution of surplus food on Christmas Eve from the hub.
Start Up Stirling, the charity operating Stirling’s main food bank, expressed sadness over the closure of the Community Food Project, emphasizing that they are available for crisis food support on a referral-only basis and providing information on how to access their services on their website.
In summary, the closure of Stirling’s Free Community Food Hub marks the end of a valuable initiative that has made a significant impact in reducing food waste and supporting vulnerable members of the community. While the decision to close the project is regrettable, alternative sources of food assistance are available for those in need. The community has expressed its disappointment over the closure, highlighting the hub’s importance in providing essential support to many individuals.