The BIG Heart Food Hub officially launched in Barking today, marking the beginning of an ambitious new response to food insecurity and the rising cost of living.
When fully operational, the BIG Heart Food Hub will be East London's largest food redistribution hub, delivering up to 10 tonnes of high-quality food every week to more than 20 local food banks and community groups. The project will help feed thousands of residents struggling with the ever-spiralling cost of putting food on the table.
The hub is a partnership between Barking and Dagenham Council, The Kindness Offensive, Food for All, Felix and City Harvest, with network engagement led by Kingsley Hall.
Food supplied through Felix is rescued from the food industry before it goes to waste, allowing good, nutritious food to be redistributed to people facing food insecurity.
The partnership is also developing plans to expand the benefits of the hub to include volunteering programmes, training and skills development opportunities, and business incubation.
Councillor Saima Ashraf, Deputy Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, said: "The BIG Heart Food Hub is a shining example of what can be achieved through strong partnership working. I’m incredibly proud of the collaboration between the council, The Kindness Offensive, Food for All, Felix, and our community partners, who have come together with a shared commitment to supporting local residents.
"The launch of this hub marks an important milestone in our response to poverty and the cost-of-living challenges facing many households. By creating a more coordinated food support network, we can help ensure that more people have access to good-quality food, while reducing waste and strengthening community resilience."
David Goodfellow, co-founder of The Kindness Offensive, said: "BIG Heart is partnership in action: a council, charities and local volunteers working together to put good food on local tables. It’s an honour to be part of it."
Peter O'Grady, Trustee of Food for All, said: "The BIG Heart Food Hub is exactly the kind of high-impact project Food for All love to deliver."
The launch event, held from 11am to 3pm on 10 September, brought together Barking and Dagenham councillors, community organisations, residents and partners to showcase how the operation will work and the impact it is expected to have across the borough.
Guests had the opportunity to take part in the work of the hub through three interactive zones:
Pack with Purpose
Guests played a direct role in preparing family food parcels for delivery to people across the local community.
Cookery Corner
Local Barking and Dagenham chef Syed and his team demonstrated how ingredients distributed through the hub can be transformed into delicious, nutritious and affordable meals.
BIG Heart Buffet Bonanza
Attendees enjoyed a free lunch featuring a colourful selection of vegetarian dishes, including vegan options, prepared by Food for All's team of chefs.