New community cupboard to combat food waste set models itself on Muir of Ord trailblazer
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A voluntary venture in the Highland capital will offer free food as well as being a collection point for donations.
Based in the SHIMCA Café in Ardconnel Terrace the community cupboard will be open for anyone who needs it from 8am and 8pm every day.
The group have been inspired by similar initiatives being set up across the Highlands, particularly MOO Food Org in Muir of Ord.
Jane Ferguson, one of the volunteers leading the project, said: “Our community cupboard is here for the residents and local businesses to share perfectly good, but surplus food rather than throwing it away.
“You may be going on holiday, have surplus from your garden or simply know you won’t eat all the food you have. Or if you are a registered food business you may have baked or cooked too much to sell.
“A community cupboard provides a simple solution which will enable our community to waste less and reduce our carbon footprint, as well as promoting community inclusion.
“We encourage anyone to put food into the cupboard and anyone to take food out, this really is for everyone”.
The group said it was not asking members of the community to purchase extra goods to help stock the cupboard, but only to donate good but unwanted food that would otherwise go to waste.
To begin with, the group only wants non-refrigerated items. It will also look to stock limited toiletries including unopened sanitary products, toothpaste and baby formula as well as soap, shampoo and nappies.
It has had funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and is asking youngsters to help design a mural to put on the side of the hut.
Designs should be emailed to help4crownhill@gmail.com before Friday along with the child’s name and age and the name of their school.
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