Doncasters first surplus food cafe to open soon

The Real Junk Food Project aims to educate people on food waste and provide a pay as you feel menu.
Fiona Cahill, Director.Fiona Cahill, Director.
Fiona Cahill, Director.

Fiona Cahill director of the project is passionate about changing the way we think about food.

One third of all food produced in the UK becomes landfill and Fiona wants to change that through projects such as her new surplus cafe.

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“We want to challenge the best before and display until dates on food,” said Fiona.

Love the planet sign in cafe.Love the planet sign in cafe.
Love the planet sign in cafe.

The idea for her cafe began back in 2015 when she held a pop up shop at the cafe Little Mo in Scawsby.

Since that moment Fiona has been working towards opening a permanent venue in Doncaster where surplus food can be used and not wasted.

Fiona has advice for anyone who wants to cut back on the amount of food waste they’re producing.

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She said: “Firstly you could change your diet to vegan which has a significantly less impact on the planet.

Front window of cafe.Front window of cafe.
Front window of cafe.

“You can also make an effort to shop at local produce sellers instead of super markets.

“Growing your own food is also a great option, it can be quite transformative watching something grow from start to finish.”

The new sustainable food hub wants to help out small businesses in the town by collaborating in workshops based around food waste and other green issues.

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The pay as you feel feature of the cafe was decided on as a way to bring the community together.

“There is a lot of social isolation in the town.

“I want this to be a place where people can come together and afford fresh healthy food.”

Fiona believes that change comes through education and so she runs a school project with Woodfield School in Balby where she teaches children about food waste and sustainability.

“I teach them about climate change and also about fresh foods,” she said.

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She plans on expanding the school project but requires a van to be able to reach more areas.

There is not yet an opening date for the cafe as they are asking the community to help them add the finishing touches to the venue.

If your a local business who can assist in charitable donations to the cafe get in touch with Fiona by [email protected]