A community pantry has saved more than 34 tonnes of food from landfill in its first year.

The Helping Whittlesey Community Pantry, an extension of the Helping Whittlesey charity, celebrated its first anniversary having saved 34.5 tonnes of food and flowers from the rubbish dump.

The group, which has more than 20 volunteers, collects surplus food twice a day, seven days a week, and redistributes it to people in need.

In its first year alone, it has saved an average of 2.8 tonnes of food per month.

The pantry was also recognised for its efforts at the Pride of Fenland Awards 2024, winning the Best Community Group Volunteers initiative.

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Anna Foster, the chair of Helping Whittlesey, said: “When we started this, I never dreamed it would take off quite as well as it has.

"The community support has been amazing and I love that we can help so many people.

"A huge thank you goes out to my amazing volunteers, to Colin from The Falcon Hotel for the use of the premises, and to all the local businesses that have supported the initiative.”

The pantry not only increased its opening times, but also assists other non-profit organisations and charities with food donations, helping them save money.

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Ms Foster highlighted the importance of the pantry's environmental and community ethos, saying: “We also work closely with other local initiatives such as Whittlesey & Thorney food banks and will pass in date food to them when possible and also take their surplus food if they are unable to use it.”

The pantry's new opening times are Tuesday and Thursday from 1pm to 2pm, Saturday from 1pm to 1.30pm, and Sunday from 5pm to 6pm in the outbuilding of the Falcon Hotel car park in Whittlesey.

The food is free to take, but a minimum suggested donation of £1 is appreciated towards utility costs.