George Hetherington launches Food Hub at St Augustine's School in Stamford
A new food hub launched at a school this week, with a warning that rising bills will make it all the more important in the community.
George Hetherington opened George’s Food Hub last week but its official launch on Wednesday (September 21) was attended by dozens of guests, volunteers and representatives from other food projects George has links with.
A founder of Second Helpings in Barn Hill, George stepped away from it after several years to launch a second project and guests heard that connecting with Tina Cox, the headteacher at St Augustine’s Primary School in Stamford, was a pivotal moment in finding the right location.
A substantial shed in the school grounds was offered and is now open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 2.45pm to 4.15pm.
George, 85, told guests that on the day of the official launch, 84 people had dropped in to collect food, which is donated by shops and suppliers, and would otherwise spoil and go to landfill.
It is a situation he feels “is only going to get worse”, adding: “I am here because I have a passion for saving surplus food and in doing that, we can help our community and the knock-on effect is in helping the environment.”
The hub operates on a ‘pay as you feel’ basis, making food available to people in all circumstances.
George added: “There are some in Stamford who think this is not a problem but there is a desperate need for food in this area - 84 people through the doors today proves it.”
Mrs Cox said that although there was a “high proportion of disadvantaged families” in the immediate area around the school and a “high number of our parents will benefit”, it was not just open to them, but anyone who needed it.
“It’s just a win-win for everyone and I am really proud to be able to support both George and our community,” she added.
The Stamford High Street branch of The Cornish Bakery, Today’s Local in Red Lion Square, as well as Riverford Organic Farm at Sacrewell near Wansford, are key suppliers but more are needed.
George and a small team of volunteers make collections and any food that is not used through the hub is taken to neighbouring food projects in Peterborough, such as the Millfield Community Fridge or the Soup Kitchen.
Even food no longer fit for human consumption is used for animal feed or returned to Riverford to be composted.
All the start-up costs were funded personally by George and any money raised ‘pay as you feel’ will go towards electricity for the fridges and freezers, and expanding the scheme.
Ashlee Bell, from Riverford Organic Farm, said that since connecting with George’s Food Hub and Second Helpings, which is based at Barn Hill in Stamford, the farm had reduced its spending on food from waste disposal from £5,000 a month to £40.
“We are really pleased to be able to help not just George, but the whole community,” Ashlee said. “It benefits everyone.”
