FOOD STREETS

A little bit of organisational work could mean A LOT of savings (up to 40%)!

Work with your neighbours (or any group) to build a shopping list, collect money, bulk buy food, then divide and distribute. Larger groups can potentially access free surplus food - reach out to us to find out more.

Coming together over a shared meal is a universal expression of togetherness and humanity. It builds community, helps alleviate loneliness and can also save us money.

It can take different forms; taking turns to batch cook a meal saves on energy bills and time, and pot-luck style dinners where everyone brings their own dishes is a fun way to try new cuisines, learn new recipes and get to know your neighbours.

‘Potato Mondays’ was started up by Walthamstow resident Adam with neighbours to save on energy costs & reduce carbon emissions. Instead of each individual household firing up their ovens to bake a potato, why not bake everyone’s potatoes in the same oven and take turns doing it?

Taking turns to share your oven is a sweet and simple neighbourhood food solution to making efficient use of your ovens!

Any planters on the street that could be used? Front gardens that could be turned into veg growing space?

Encouraging more growing activity on your street will not only mean you get fresh veg & herbs, but also help connect people to where food comes from and can bolster local biodiversity.

Swap seeds, grow veg, herbs & share it amongst your neighbours - or use it in a shared meal with everyone!

Have a fruit tree producing more fruit than you know what to do with? Maybe you can’t reach some of the fruit on it?

Get a group of neighbours together to scrump all the fruit trees in your area to stop that fruit from going to waste. Donate it to a local food project, or have a communal jam-making session!

Friday night is take-away night for many households - why not order from a local, ethical and affordable community cafe?

The Gleaners Cafe offers plant-based meals as a take-away option on Fridays if you’re ordering a bulk number of meals. These low-cost meals are nutritious, homely & made from surplus ingredients (so you’re saving food from going to waste). Plus, by buying from them, you’re supporting the incredible community work they’re doing!

You’ll need to organise the collection of the meals, but chat to us about some options!

If you have access to the right space, you could transform your neighbourhood's food waste into your neighbourhood's healthy soil!

Wasted food is a massive CO2 and methane emitter, composting food waste slashes its emissions by half, and when applied to soil it increases the soil health, aids water absorption, and helps you grow much healthier and happier plants (and critters, critters are cool and important!).

Strengthen the economy of your community, support farmers near you and reduce emissions, all while enjoying seasonal, organic fruit and veg delivered to your neighbourhood from only £9.10 per week.

Organiclea is a workers cooperative and community hub in Chingford with a mission to grow beautiful organic produce, teach horticulture and embody the socially just future we know is possible. They are always looking for more customers and distribution points, could that be your street?

Healthy pollinators are crucially important for food growing.

By volunteering to make your street a #BeeFriendlyStreet, Waltham Forest Council can ditch the chemical sprays that are often used on our roads, swapping them for traditional hand weeding methods to create greener spaces for our pollinators to thrive.