Shoreham Community Food Hub celebrated after move to fire station

Residents and community organisations have celebrated the success of Shoreham’s Community Food Hub following its move to the town’s fire station.

The event, held on Wednesday, 12 August, highlighted the partnership between West Sussex County Council’s Recycling and Waste and Communities teams, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and UKHarvest.

The hub helps local people access affordable and nutritious food while reducing the amount of food going to waste. It also provides a place where residents can meet others and connect with advice and support services.

Shoreham Fire Station became a UKHarvest Community Food Hub location in May and has since welcomed residents from across the surrounding area.

Visitors can collect rescued food, save money on their shopping and learn new ways of preparing and cooking meals. They can also find out how to reduce food waste at home.

Councillor Natasha Davie, West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: "This partnership is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared goal of supporting local people and protecting the environment.

“In the middle of a cost of living crisis, hubs like this have become a genuine lifeline for residents, and the Community Food Hubs make a real difference by helping residents access affordable, nutritious food while reducing unnecessary food waste. Just as importantly, they are creating opportunities for people to connect, seek support and build stronger community relationships."

During the celebration, visitors met representatives from supporting services and learned more about the effect the hub is having on local people and the environment.

Organisers hope future events will bring together a wider range of agencies, including health and wellbeing services, carer support groups, energy advisers, transport providers and organisations supporting people with disabilities.

Mike Wattam, Crew Manager at Shoreham Fire Station, added: "We are incredibly proud of the partnership we have built with West Sussex County Council and UKHarvest, and the positive impact the Community Food Hub is having within Shoreham and the surrounding areas.

"The hub is about much more than food. It's about bringing people together, supporting our communities and making Shoreham Fire Station a welcoming place where residents can access help, advice and practical support.”

Liz Rhodes, Community Outreach and Engagement Manager at UKHarvest, said: “Not only do our food hubs support people to eat well for less by offering healthy low-cost food and ingredients, but they also help reduce people’s environmental impact by rescuing food that would have otherwise gone to waste.

"Working in partnership with West Sussex County Council and the fire and rescue service has enabled us to reach even more people in the local area and create a welcoming community space where everyone is invited.

“We have community food hubs across West Sussex, so I would really encourage people across West Sussex to find their nearest hub, come along and take advantage of the food on offer.”

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