What is a Community Larder?
Sharing Life Trust and Red Kite Family Centre are collaborating with SOFEA, a charity based in Didcot, to run the Community Larder in Thame.
It is a membership scheme open to anyone (no means testing), aimed at providing an affordable way to access healthy staple food, reduce food waste and improve the wellbeing of residents in the local area. Click here to view our publicity flyer.
Where does the food come from?
SOFEA have a long-established operation collecting and distributing surplus food from supermarkets in partnership with Fareshare, a national charity working to reduce food waste. All food supplied is within ‘use by’ or ‘best before’ date.
Where is the Community Larder?
The Larder is based in Thame and held in the main hall at Christchurch URC/Methodist church in the Upper High Street.
When and how often does it operate?
The Larder is open every Thursday afternoon* from 2.30pm to 4.30pm including a free community café.
How do I join?
Sofea look after membership registration for us and this is done online by following the ‘Join Now’ link below. Individuals and couples can join for £4.50 per week payable by direct debit. There is a one-off joining fee of £10. Benefits include
- An invitation to attend the Larder Hub and community café each week
- A choice of up to 10 items of chilled and ambient (tins, bottles and packets) food plus free additional fruit and vegetables
- Newsletters and information will be available on healthy eating and nutrition
Families can join for £9.00 per week payable by direct debit. Benefits include the same as for individuals and couples but with up to 20 items of food.
*There are just four weeks in the year when the Larder doesn’t operate. Members are given plenty of notice of these dates.
If you are interested in Volunteering at the Community Larder please complete our Volunteering Application