Residents and community partners came together on Wednesday (12 August) to celebrate the success of the Community Food Hub in its new home at Shoreham Fire Station.
The hub helps local people access affordable food, reduce food waste at home and strengthen community connections, and the event showcased the growing partnership between both West Sussex County Councilโs Recycling and Waste Team and Communities Team, West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, and UKHarvest.
Cllr Natasha Davie, the councilโs Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said:
This partnership is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared goal of supporting local people and protecting the environment.
โIn the middle of a cost of living crisis, hubs like this have become a genuine lifeline for residents, and the Community Food Hubs make a real difference by helping residents access affordable, nutritious food while reducing unnecessary food waste. Just as importantly, they are creating opportunities for people to connect, seek support and build stronger community relationships.
Since becoming a UK Harvest Community Food Hub location in May, Shoreham Fire Station has welcomed residents from across the area, providing an accessible venue where people can collect rescued food, save money on their shopping, learn about new ways of preparing and cooking food, and play a part in reducing food waste at home.
Mike Wattam, Crew Manager at Shoreham Fire Station, added:
We are incredibly proud of the partnership we have built with West Sussex County Council and UKHarvest, and the positive impact the Community Food Hub is having within Shoreham and the surrounding areas.
"The hub is about much more than food. It's about bringing people together, supporting our communities and making Shoreham Fire Station a welcoming place where residents can access help, advice and practical support.
The event provided an opportunity for visitors to learn more about the partnership, meet representatives from supporting services and hear about the difference the hub is making to local people and the environment.
Visitors were also able to connect with a range of community-focused organisations, reflecting the partnershipโs aim to bring together a diverse mix of agencies at future events, including health and wellbeing services, carer support, energy advice, transport providers and disability support groups, helping residents access a broad range of support in one place.
Liz Rhodes, Community Outreach and Engagement Manager at UKHarvest, said:
Not only do our food hubs support people to eat well for less by offering healthy low-cost food and ingredients, but they also help reduce peopleโs environmental impact by rescuing food that would have otherwise gone to waste.
"Working in partnership with ย West Sussex County Council and ย the fire and rescue service has enabled us to reach even more people in the local area and create a welcoming community space where everyone is invited.
โWe have community food hubs across West Sussex, so I would really encourage people across West Sussex to find their nearest hub, come along and take advantage of the food on offer.
