For a change of pace from the usual parliamentary sessions, Bath MP Wera Hobhouse donned an apron and stepped into the kitchen alongside FoodCycle volunteers, demonstrating her commitment to tackling food poverty and waste at the grassroots level.
On Wednesday, August 20, Hobhouse visited FoodCycle Bath, part of a nationwide charity that rescues surplus food from supermarkets and markets to create free, nutritious three-course meals for people in need. Every week, around 30 to 40 guests gather at Walcot Methodist Chapel, where volunteers prepare and serve dishes that nourish both body and community spirit.
With sleeves rolled up, Wera helped prepare a menu featuring cheese and mushroom toast, vegetable burgers served with potato wedges and coleslaw, followed by a unique German-British apple strudel trifle dessert.
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George, a regular volunteer, shared, “In the UK, an estimated 12 million tonnes of food go to waste annually, yet four million people face food poverty. Retail alone discards at least 400,000 tonnes of edible food. FoodCycle aims to change this by turning surplus food into wholesome meals for those who need them. Here in Bath, we serve between 100 and 150 meals a month, not only fighting food insecurity but also combating loneliness.”
He also praised Wera’s culinary efforts, describing her cooking skills as “pretty decent.”
Reflecting on her experience, Hobhouse said, “The scale of food waste in the UK is alarming, especially when many struggle with rising food costs. Beyond the moral imperative, food waste significantly contributes to climate change, responsible for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions — five times that of aviation. Reducing waste is crucial not only for environmental reasons but also because reallocating surplus food can be a lifeline for families in poverty. Economically, cutting food waste by half by 2030 could save the UK over £6 billion annually in wasted resources.”
Jemma Pembury, FoodCycle’s South West and Wales regional manager, invited the community to join the initiative. “Thanks to our generous food suppliers in Bath, we have plenty to share. We welcome anyone to come along every Wednesday at 7 pm to Walcot Methodist Chapel, enjoy a delicious meal, and connect with fellow Bathonians.”
FoodCycle Bath runs weekly sessions aiming to reduce food waste and support vulnerable community members through shared meals and companionship.