We lately hosted an Instagram Dwell, the place Magpie Izzy sat down with Sarah Morison from meals waste charity UK Harvest. They mentioned the work UK Harvest do, how they assist feed folks throughout the UK and extra! For those who missed the reside, don’t worry! You may watch it beneath. You can too learn the transcript of the reside beneath, too!
Don’t overlook to take a look at the UK Harvest web site here. Yow will discover them on Instagram here and comply with The Nourish Hub here.
UK Harvest have loads of volunteering opportunities. In case you are unable to volunteer, why not signal as much as their newsletter or be a part of considered one of their upcoming online cook-alongs?
Izzy
So thanks a lot for approaching. That is Sarah Morison from UK Harvest for everybody that’s joined thus far, hopefully we’ll get a number of extra folks as time goes on. So UK Harvest is a meals, meals waste charity, I’d say, you understand, attempting to attempt to feed the nation right now, which is an incredible, superb factor to be doing. So we wished to hop on with Sarah and kind of talk about UK Harvest, and every little thing they stand up to, the work they do and how one can assist them and the way they may also help you.
So yeah, so we’ll be discussing issues. For those who’ve obtained any questions, simply depart them beneath. We’ll try to reply them. And there’ll be a playback of this on the web site and on our YouTube channel afterwards. So if it’s important to depart for any cause, or your connection drops out otherwise you are available midway via, there can be a playback. So, Sarah, so if you wish to simply begin by kind of speaking us via what UK Harvest is what they do, that’d be actually nice.
Sarah
Completely, thanks. UK Harvest was actually arrange in 2017. So, we’re fairly a younger charity, we’re very a lot an environmental charity. As we forestall meals waste, the entire concept is we seize that meals that will in any other case go to waste. So it is likely to be surplus meals, proper throughout the provision chain. And that’s farmers, growers, producers, wholesalers, distributors, reside occasions, any meals which may in any other case get wasted. And truly 80% of what we rescue is perishable. So it’s recent fruit and veg, so that you’re working to fairly tight timings as a result of it actually can rot in entrance of you. And we have to seize that and redistribute it to individuals who really want it. In order that’s the environmental stage.
However what’s so unbelievable is taking one thing that will in any other case go to waste and be certain that those that actually do want it. And that’s homeless, refuges, home abuse shelters, we’ve obtained a community of virtually 300 charities proper throughout the south of England that we assist via this donated meals. However there’s one other venture I’ll let you know about in a minute. So we’re tremendous busy gathering the meals and redistributing it to those that want it. However I believe the vital factor is a few meals redistribution charities are actually about logistics.
We’re sturdy believers that when you wrap every little thing we do round with schooling – it’s no giving somebody a butternut squash in the event that they don’t know what to do with it. So we’re actually about equipping folks to be taught some finances pleasant, fast simple suggestions that they will use within the kitchen to increase their food regimen and construct up wholesome nutritious meals and meals with the meals that we offer.
Izzy
Nice and I seen in your web site you will have an entire bit about recipes, simple recipes, you’ve obtained some good, pancakes on there, frittatas, scrumptious issues, my mouth is watering once I was taking a look at all of it, however actually nice that you’ve got that form of on-line presence that you just say that schooling presence, you’ve obtained some movies I believe they’re referred to as the Bushy Harvesters, that’s nice, nice initiative as some actually good movies and making some simple issues.
Such as you say I believe it’s nice you understand, it’s one factor to provide folks meals after which to a different factor to kind of educate them how they will how they will make issues out of it and there’s so many issues you can also make out of you understand, some tomatoes you can also make an array of issues and you understand, I believe it’s actually nice that that kind of on-line platform is there for folks to kind of return to as properly and I seen you had a a web-based prepare dinner alongside.
Sarah
Yeah, that’s one factor I used to be going to hope to advertise as we speak really when you go onto our web site, so it’s UK in scroll alongside the highest there’s varied tabs and underneath neighborhood, we’ve obtained an entire part referred to as Nourish Ed so nourish schooling, and that’s simply full of cash saving, waste stopping, cookery programs and suggestions. Plenty of, as you say, leftover recipe concepts to provide you inspiration. So when you’ve obtained these previous couple of carrots mendacity round, you understand, I might do it right here, I can try this. We’re actually fortunate to work with tremendous artistic cooks. And each single day right here is like Prepared Regular Prepare dinner, we don’t know what produce goes to be collected from the farms that day.
So this morning, I’ve simply been over and there’s cauli shoots in there.So like lengthy cauliflowers, we’ve obtained plenty of pretty recent tomatoes that may most likely flip in a few days. So we’re desperately developing with plenty of extra tomato recipes, chilies, all types. In order that Nourish Ed platform on our web site is simply nice for happening to and selecting up these recipe and concepts.
Additionally on there, you’ll see there’s three reside cook-alongs developing. And as everyone knows, we’ve all needed to rein our budgets in, we are able to’t essentially, Deliveroo takeaways are all now a luxurious. So we’ve obtained a sequence of cook-alongs developing, there’s one on the thirtieth of September primary on the 4th of October primary on the seventeenth. They’re all free to affix, and we’re doing takeaways, we’re going to show you how one can make, I don’t know cool chilli, a little bit of a Mexican, we’d do.
However utilizing actually good retailer cabinet substances that you just’ve already most likely obtained at residence, and also you’ve forgotten concerning the paprika within the cabinet. After which there’s and we’ll put that collectively and you’ll have a fakeaway at residence. In order that’s about equipping folks with actually good cooking abilities, however to eat actually wholesome on a finances.
Izzy
That’s such a good suggestion as properly, as a result of such as you say, you understand, all of us have a cheeky take away every now and then, we like to, you understand, finish our Friday evening with one thing scrumptious, to reward ourselves for the week, nevertheless it’s about saving the pennies in the meanwhile. And you understand, a variety of my favorite meals that I make are ones that I kind of assume proper what have I obtained within the cabinet? How can I make one thing out of this?
And I believe yeah, such as you say, simply kind of exhibiting folks but, you understand, the weirdest mixture of substances you won’t have considered might make one thing so scrumptious, and prevent a lot cash. And I believe you understand, fakeaway is such a great way to begin as a result of you understand, all of us love a takeaway, however sadly, they’re simply going up in value. And typically, you understand, you can also make one thing even higher than to remove at residence.
Sarah
So with that, you’re completely proper, it’s cheaper whenever you do it at residence, you may have simply plenty of enjoyable doing it, particularly if it’s a part of a cook-along. And what we try to embed in all our programs are these kind of meals waste suggestions. So that you just’re you’re not peeling a veg, you may ditch the peeler, it simply give it a scrub, it’s obtained a great deal of vitamin within the within the skins of those greens and issues, and actually interested by what waste you might be creating at residence.
As a result of we’re very a lot working at this business stage. And we when you take a look at the meals waste accessible, we’re taking 30% of what will get wasted. That’s what occurs at farms, however 70% of meals waste really occurs at residence. So we’ve all started working actually laborious to scale back our personal. And that’s not identical to monetary, it’s additionally as a result of all of that meals, the trouble that’s gone into rising and the water and the ability and the vitality, the transport to get that meals after which put it within the bin and throw it into landfill is simply tragic. So I really feel like one environmental factor we are able to all do to assist.
Izzy
Yeah, that’s fascinating. You say that, as a result of greatest earlier than dates and promote by dates are there as a information, however I believe lots of people use them as you understand, bible. I get, you understand, perhaps hen and stuff you don’t need to use previous the date as a result of they are often harmful, however issues like greens and fruit. You recognize, do the sniff take a look at. So that you would possibly get the odd squidgy tomato, however I discover you may chuck them in a spag bol. That’s effective. I believe you’re proper. I believe we waste much more than folks assume. And I’ve actually tried to chop again and assume extra about what I’m chucking away. And the freezer is my greatest pal. You recognize, every little thing I can’t eat, I simply freeze. It’s nice.
Sarah
That sounds such as you already all around the suggestions, which is nice. I believe that you just’re completely proper with greatest earlier than dates, that’s actually a information of high quality. It’s not a faith in any manner. Simply use your individual judgement. And the one factor we actually advocate is when you see a use by date, that’s the one you take heed to. And as you say, when you get close to that and also you realise that you just’re not going to make use of these hen breasts tonight, tomorrow evening, whack them within the freezer, it buys you a large period of time. You may actually freeze that three months, after which use it whenever you want it. However you simply should freeze freeze freeze when you’re developing towards a by date.
Isobel
Yeah, positively. So, what do UK Harvest do kind of on the bottom stage, so I do know you will have some hubs, and a few neighborhood kitchens and issues. May you inform us a bit extra about these?
Sarah
Completely. We grew massively throughout COVID. You may think about when abruptly all of these routes to hospitality, faculties, eating places, every little thing closed. All of that meals backed up very, in a short time. And we have been actually inundated with a loopy quantity of meals. And though we have been delivering to plenty of charities and people who have been susceptible and sheltering throughout COVID, we fairly shortly realised that that simply wasn’t the simplest manner of doing it.
So once we arrange this community of pantries, and we name it a pop up pantry, and it’s actually a lot extra than simply meals, it’s a manner of coming collectively locally. And those that we run down in Chichester, the place we’re primarily based, however we stretch so far as Midhurst and all the way down to Selsey. It’s all on our web site underneath pop up pantry, we flip up for an hour at a neighborhood centre. And we work actually carefully with that neighborhood to make it possible for folks from that basically native space are coming in.
We additionally goal the housing associations in that space. We work with a variety of refugees.It’s nice we work with anybody who is likely to be on a decent finances, and the distinction with us and meals banks is there’s no registration. We welcome everybody, you’re all working collectively to try to rescue this meals. However people who find themselves on a decent finances can actually pop a steered donation of £3.50 and convey a bag and rescue the meals that they need to feed their household with. So not like a meals financial institution, the place it is likely to be very a lot tinned base, that is rather more recent, nutritious, and folks can select. And that choice is actually key, as a result of they’re selecting what they need to feed their household that week.
And we are able to additionally wrap the meals round with recommendation. Citizen’s recommendation are superb. They arrive all the way down to a few of our pantries they usually may also help folks get on board with checking what different further advantages they may have. All of that may be wrapped round and we interact folks across the meals And we’ve actually discovered put up COVID that you understand, whether or not it’s some aged individuals who might need had that kind of isolation, this breaks that social isolation, it brings these communities collectively. And it’s such a contented vibe.
The pantry is nice, everybody goes away sharing recipes, concepts, recommendations on what we are able to do with the broccoli and it will get folks speaking and interested by how one can use and increase these diets and never waste meals. In order that’s pantry community. After which as you stated we’ve additionally obtained this fabulous venture in London referred to as the Nourish Hub. And I’d encourage anybody in West London to come back and go to it’s unbelievable. We have been fortunate sufficient to get funding via the Mayor of London and Hammersmith and Fulham Borough Council to show a kind of, it’s like a Sainsbury’s native that was, it’s on the backside of an enormous tower block in West London, Shepherds Bush. And it’s now probably the most thriving neighborhood kitchen.
So we serve actually nutritious, nice vegetarian meals daily, there’s a steered donation value of say, 5 kilos for curry, scrumptious curry. However when you can’t afford it, that’s effective. Don’t fear about it. So we we goal everybody locally, whether or not you’re working in an workplace across the nook, and you’ll pop down for a pleasant inexpensive lunch. Otherwise you is likely to be actually struggling and homeless. And we have now some pretty guys that are available each single day and have sizzling meals with us. So we actually bringing that entire neighborhood collectively in West London.
And what’s nice as properly is the catering kitchen there, the crew of cooks who’re prepping the meals for the cafe daily, are actually supported by I imply, none of our operation would occur with out volunteers. We’ve obtained some pretty volunteers in there who’re additionally studying actually key cookery abilities. And typically it’s like a stepping stone for them to get employment, say on the finish of it and go into the hospitality business. So we are able to prepare up throughout the kitchen and provides them references after they transfer on. So there’s that catering web site.
After which on the different finish of the Group Cafe is a wonderful coaching kitchen, the place we are able to run focused programs to households, to completely different charities we work with, to show these key cooking abilities. And within the holidays, clearly, we have now the vacation exercise programme to assist these children on free college meals to be taught some nice cooking abilities and likewise get a pleasant sizzling lunch on the identical time. So I can’t say tasks are occurring throughout. Nevertheless it’s actually good how we are able to use meals. And that is all rescued meals. It’s all used to actually maintain and have interaction folks round meals waste consuming meals, and actually getting folks out of that isolation and coming collectively round meals.
Izzy
Yeah, I believe the phrase neighborhood is ideal for it since you actually are. You recognize, it’s not nearly meals. It’s about you understand, serving to folks become involved and make buddies. And I believe that’s actually pretty, particularly as you say, COVID put lots of people into isolation and folks felt very lonely. And you understand, there’s an enormous loneliness situation with aged folks particularly and I believe that’s a beautiful, pretty factor and it provides them a kind of protected house to come back and take part. And I additionally noticed in your web site, you talked about you may there’s a steered donation, however you stated you’ll by no means flip anybody away. So even when you’d solely give 10p. You recognize, that’s that’s so pretty to know. And I believe that may actually reassure lots of people and take weight off lots of people’s shoulders, particularly in the meanwhile.
So I believe that’s actually nice. I had a pair extra questions for you. So clearly you stated you have been primarily based in Chichester, and also you kind of go all the way down to, I noticed you performing some issues in Brighton the place I reside really. So is it kind of simply primarily based kind of down South?
Sarah
The UK Harvest distribution centre when you like, the precise rescue operations a part of the enterprise may be very a lot as you say in Chichester. However in actual fact, the realm we cowl, we go so far as Bristol on a Monday and acquire from there, we go proper out to Kent and acquire there and into South London. So we acquire, we cowl very a lot the South of England when it comes to our attain. And that’s when it comes to the donors we decide up from.
And we assist when it comes to different ones, typically there’s alternatives that come via, you understand, superb quantities of meals which may abruptly change into accessible up close to Birmingham, we’ve really arrange throughout COVID unbelievable factor referred to as the Xcess Network. We will put hyperlinks on I’m positive, however I believe up with different comparable sort charities. So with a large alternative comes via to us, we’re actually good, the entire meals rescue world is decided to simply not waste. So we inform companions that is likely to be the bread and butter additional north. And we’ll say, are you able to guys rescue this as a result of it’s simply out of our attain. And equally, if there’s a large meals, or we’ve obtained a glutt of candy potatoes, we’ll hyperlink with Metropolis Harvest, and do a swap will drive up with potatoes, they’ll give us apples and pears, you understand, we actually commerce the entire time. So it’s an actual partnership working.
However when it comes to utilization of the tasks that folks can entry. Our pantries in the meanwhile are very particular spaced all our programs which might be accessible on our web site, that’s all on-line, that’s nationwide, you go for it take pleasure in anyplace you might be. After which the London centre. I imply, we’ll see anybody that may get to Shepherd’s Bush. We’re 5 minutes away from that.
Izzy
Fantastic and also you stated that, you understand, you supply a variety of issues totally free, which I believe is superb, you understand, these programs on-line and these recipes on-line. So how can folks donate to you or volunteer their time? You recognize, can folks simply signal as much as volunteer? Or can they you understand, donate a bit of cash in the event that they need to? How does that work?
Sarah
Good. Completely. The best factor is when you go to our web site, the highest proper, it says Get Concerned, when you click on on there, there’s alternative ways of doing it. So you may donate time. And if you wish to volunteer for us, completely. There’s a join sheet there. We’re at all times searching for volunteers, the the alternatives, if I’m sincere, kind of fluctuate relying on the tasks we’ve obtained concerned. Nevertheless it’s nice to be concerned, you’ll at all times have a e-newsletter that you understand, we preserve you updated with these these choices. The opposite click on down is clearly Donate Cash.
For support, we’re a charity, we’re completely reliant on donations on grant funding, some Nationwide Lottery Funding Council funding, we actually really want it to maintain these vans on the highway to maintain rescuing. So if anybody is ready to donate cash, then that will be fabulous. And there’s a quite simple donate button there. The opposite factor, which is simply pretty is simply to enroll to our e-newsletter hyperlink, very simple to do. And that manner, you’ll simply have a e-newsletter each week with what we’re as much as as a charity. And also you would possibly see the completely different tasks we’re concerned in, and likewise some meals waste suggestions.So there are alternative ways you can become involved like that.
Izzy
Fantastic. And do you will have any kind of suggestions simply off the highest of your head? You recognize, we’ve lined a number of little suggestions right here and there. Simply methods folks you understand, tonight can look of their fridge and assume, proper? How can I save this meals? Or you understand, is there something that you are able to do to save lots of your self a bit of cash and kind of forestall some meals waste in your house?
Sarah
Completely, there’s hundreds of thousands, we regularly say a variety of it’s simply organising your fridge, typically it’s fairly good to have one of many cabinets, which is the ‘I have to eat this now’ shelf, to just remember to’ve you’ve clocked what’s in there. And perhaps it’s the hen breast that’s nearly to go off, it makes positive that there’s a kind of go to shelf that you just use first. And actually whilst you’re wanting on the information, ignore one of the best earlier than, it’s utilized by you take a look at. Put it within the freezer, when you’re not going to make use of it, positively.
The opposite factor we at all times say is simply earlier than you get grocery store or perhaps earlier than you head to work within the morning, take an image of the fridge, take an image of your cabinet. So whenever you buy groceries, you find yourself shopping for what you’ve already obtained in your fridge, easy factor, simply take that image and also you’ll keep in mind to not purchase double, you understand, plan the meals that you just’re really going to eat and be real looking about it. We typically have this grand plan and what we’re going to buy for the week after which half of it, you understand doesn’t get used for no matter. Actually, actually take into consideration the meal planning. Take that image of your meals and simply attempt to eat within the order that you understand it’s going to expire.
However yeah, simply get artistic combine issues up. Try to experiment. We’ve obtained some recipe concepts that may at all times offer you inspiration.
Izzy
Yeah, completely. There’s a lot, a lot in your web site. We’ve obtained a query right here from Chloe who says; “Actually nice concepts. Is there any meals that shouldn’t be frozen?”
Sarah
Any meals that shouldn’t be frozen…there’s typically controversy about egg however I’m afraid, we nonetheless freeze eggs. You may break them down, crack them in a bag and that manner they are often frozen. I’m doing a shout out right here. I can’t consider something off the highest of my head. Salad I suppose, no matter you name salad. However something like herbs, you understand, chop it up, put it in with oil in these little ice trays. That will be an excellent tip. However no, we haven’t discovered one which’s a large no but, so we’re all about freezing when you can.
Izzy
Nice and you understand there’s so many issues that folks don’t assume to freeze that freeze effective. I froze hummus, I froze cream cheese you understand typically it would separate a bit, simply give them a stir and it’ll return to regular. I believe simply trial and error. I believe I some issues, yeah, they may look a bit dodgy as soon as defrosted. However yeah, simply give them a stir they usually form of return. However yeah, I believe that’s a extremely, actually good tip.
I’ve by no means really tried to freeze eggs, however I suppose that will work. I don’t see why that wouldn’t work. However yeah. And clearly you spoke concerning the cook-alongs developing. Is there another occasions that we are able to look out for or something thrilling developing for UK Harvest?
Sarah
We now have obtained some tasks, I’m simply wishing we have been a few days down the road. So, I’d actually adore it if everybody can comply with @UKHarvest. For our Instagram, we’ll be launching one thing quickly round Halloween. I hope suggestions, as a result of I’m an actual considered one of like, don’t simply carve your pumpkin, prepare dinner it this 12 months, you understand, make it possible for issues like that simply don’t get wasted.
So the Nourish Hub on Instagram, that’s all reveals you all these pretty menus which might be occurring in London daily. However the cook-alongs, that’s a nationwide programme, we’d love folks to affix the cook-alongs and the extra who can interact with that the higher. So attempt. See what you assume and try this fakeaway at residence.
Izzy
Yeah, fantastic. And you understand what, it’s humorous you say about pumpkins, as a result of I made a beautiful pumpkin soup final 12 months with my pumpkin and toasted the seeds. And that was scrumptious. I believe it’s nice. Like, I believe when you get into that mindset of proper, I’ve obtained some leftovers. What can I do with it? Proper, I’ve obtained a random little bit of pumpkin, what can I do?
And you understand, my Mum, she’s a really frugal lady. She’s taught me all I do know, bless her and she or he at all times says freeze all vegetable scrapings and issues and make some vegetable inventory out of them. And I believe that’s such a pleasant concept. And also you assume, oh, it’s a bit bizarre simply shoving a great deal of vegetable peel in water, nevertheless it’s so scrumptious. And it’s so low-cost to make. And once more, simply one other method to forestall that waste, which is nice.
Sarah
We really had a beautiful crew of volunteers in right here earlier they usually’ve been making, so that you peel potatoes, as a result of we did really have to peel them for this venture we have been doing. However all the peelings, we actually simply places slightly little bit of curry powder on, little bit of oil, put them within the oven is probably the most scrumptious, like kind of potato peel crisps. So I’m like you can also make this a problem. What can I do with these? Simply Simply keep away from placing something within the bin. Please, please, please.
Izzy
And when you do compost it, don’t put it within the normal waste. Effectively, thanks a lot. Simply earlier than we go, I used to be gonna say you understand, clearly, the colder months are coming and Christmas is developing. And if there may be anybody watching or who watches this again that perhaps is aware of somebody at Christmas that perhaps is homeless or one thing like that. Are you open through the Christmas interval? Are you serving to folks out at the moment?
Sarah
We are actually simply placing collectively our programme for Christmas. So I believe one of the best factor is please take a look at the web site. Completely. We’ll clearly prolong the assistance as a lot as we are able to. And we’re working with different tasks. So we’ll at all times signpost to different further assist if we have to. And as much as Christmas, we can be doing a great deal of completely different schooling courses about simply how to not over purchase for Christmas, simply plan and don’t overdo it as a result of it truly is a kind of time of 12 months the place there may be a variety of meals waste that so avoidable.
So I believe this 12 months notably, when budgets are tight, we’re going to make it possible for folks don’t overspend. However you understand, heaps to share and preserve following us. However sure, we can be supporting as many individuals as we are able to this winter so the extra donations the higher. There’s a donate meals button additionally on the web site. So we are going to work with any meals manufacturers, business companions, growers who’re in a position to hyperlink up with us that’d be nice.
Izzy
Fantastic. Effectively thanks a lot. I’ve been chatting with Sarah Morison from UK Harvest so ensure you comply with UK Harvest and is it Nourish Hub?
Sarah
The Nourish Hub, sure. It’s our London Group Cafe. Nevertheless it’s all you may see the hyperlink actually via at UK Harvest. Sarah Morison Fantastic and ensure to take a look at the UK Harvest web site. You may volunteer, you may donate or simply try their superb recipes. They obtained some very nice issues on there. So positively examine that out. You’ve obtained some casseroles, you’ve obtained some pies, every little thing, so positively when you’re caught for recipes, positively try UK harvest. We can be popping this reside on our YouTube channel and on our web site. So you may watch it again when you’ve simply are available. And we’ll be linking to the UK Harvest web site so yow will discover them there as properly.