“The more we give out, the happier we are!”
Waste to Plate is a community initiative based in Thames Ditton, Surrey, offering a community shop and redistribution services to local charities. By partnering with FareShare Sussex & Surrey, they are able to use surplus food to achieve their mission of reducing food waste and improving food insecurity.
Vicky Zadeh, the founder, shared their sustainability mission:
“We are rescuing food, saving the planet. It is for a better world and for our children’s future.”
Surplus and Support
The Community Shop offers a mix of no-cost and low-cost food options, creating an inclusive and accessible space for everyone in the community. The volunteers and staff have become friendly faces for regular customers, building a relationship with those who use the services. Recently, Waste to Plate has started a Redistribution Network that provides surplus food, some of which is provided by FareShare Sussex & Surrey, to local food charities to help with receiving consistent food supplies.
The idea for the Community Hub was borne out of the pandemic, when Vicky witnessed the
growing number of people facing food insecurity after losing their jobs. As the need for support
continued to grow, the Hub officially opened last year to provide a dedicated space for the
community.
“A lot of people struggled with being isolated during the pandemic.” said Vicky. “Coming out of it really ignited a sense of community and having those shared spaces is so important.”
Waste to Plate works with FareShare Sussex & Surrey and FareShare Go, who together supply around two-thirds of the food they distribute. This surplus food is shared with individuals and
local charities, helping reduce waste while supporting those in need. With over 2,000 households registered, the initiative now welcomes around 150 visitors most days.
“I love working with FareShare, it’s given us real consistency” Vicky explains. “We get a great variety of fresh food, and customers are often amazed by the quality and range of what we have to offer.”
People Behind the Plates
The volunteers find it a fantastic place to work and play a vital role in supporting the community, offering a warm welcome, practical help, and a consistent presence for those who visit the Community Fridge. Their contribution helps create a safe, inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and valued.
“The more we give out, the happier we are. I have seen people really struggling for food,” said Nalini, a volunteer. “I hate waste. It is a real eye-opener.”
“I am a lead volunteer on a couple of shifts but I have been involved since we opened. It is really fantastic,” said Mandy, a another volunteer. “I have lived in Thames Ditton for 28 years and I have met so many people in the last six months.”
Food and Friendship
Alongside the produce in the community shop, local members who visit the hub have been pulled in by the friendly volunteers and staff. By having a chat and feeling connected to the local community, Waste to Plate not only provides high-quality food but also removes feelings of isolation.
“You can walk in here with dignity, whatever your circumstances might be. You may be living on benefits, have recently lost a loved one, or struggling with bills. It is open to everybody to take what they need.”
“We have two kids and Waste to Plate definitely makes a difference. It is also just nice to come here, it is a nice experience” said a community member who uses Waste to Plate.
Soup for Success
Alongside the community shop and redistribution network, they have recently set up their Soup Maker Scheme. The initiative supports teenagers preparing for exams by ensuring they have access to nutritious, home-cooked meals. To help fuel their studies, Waste to Plate provides students with a soup maker, vegetable peelers, and seasonings, along with fresh ingredients sourced from the Community Shop, making it easier for those facing food insecurity to cook healthy soups at home. This helps to remove pressure around exam season to ensure students are feeling fuelled and healthy.
Vicky shared the impact of the initiative:
“There is a statistic that children living in food poverty, on average, achieve three grades lower. I wanted to do something about that. The aim is to make sure the students have a hot meal each day while they are studying to help improve their attendance, focus and concentration and offer them a greater chance of success.”
While the summertime brings great sunshine, it also brings increased food insecurity for schoolchildren. Your donation to our Summer Hunger Appeal will help us meet the growing seasonal demand by continuing to provide good-to-eat surplus food to those who need it most. Visit our donation page here.
To find out more about the work Waste to Plate does, or if you are local to Thames Ditton, check out their website or Facebook page.