Seeing first hand the amazing work the team at the Larder do has inspired me to take on a challenge to raise awareness and funds to support the Larders amazing work supporting those experiencing food insecurity in West Lothian! 

So the paddle against food poverty was born! This will involve myself stand up paddleboarding 10 lochs end to end totaling 150km in 6 days! from the 6th to 11th June 2022 finishing on the shores of Loch Rannoch! The goal is to raise 5K to allow the Larder to support more people in need via the Catalyst Kitchen and to raise awareness of the issue of food poverty in our communities! 

With prices rising and the squeeze on peoples budgets this will push more household into various forms of Poverty. According to the scottish government in 2017 19% of the population were experiencing some form of poverty that's 1 million people! and this was pre-pandemic. As a first world country this is unacceptable and more needs to be done to find a long term and dignified solution to support those experiencing poverty.

During the pandemic The Larder created the Catalyst Kitchen project in a direct response to the increase to those experiencing food insecurity in West Lothian 

The Catalyst Kitchen was designed to disrupt the national answer to food insecurity, an answer which provides no choice, no control and no dignity. This project supports our community through pop-up dining experiences, community 'Cook and Dine' classes and the delivery of quality cooked and chilled meals delivered to doors and community pantries. Catalyst Kitchen has and continues to be described as “a lifeline”, “revolutionary”, “invaluable”, “life-changing”.

When the pandemic hit in March 2020 and face-to-face dining experiences were no longer able to be held, Catalyst Kitchen quickly pivoted services to the delivery of freshly cooked, chilled meals; launched 3rd of April 2020.

Food made by The Larder chefs, and where possible, supported by young people in training is distributed by a team of volunteers on a weekly basis either directly to beneficiaries’ doors or to local pick-up points based in partnership organisations.

Since launch, The Larder have delivered over 120,000 meals to over 800 beneficiaries. 

Not only does The Larder provide a meal service to those in need but also works to break down isolation with the weekly dining experience serviced by The Larders trainees. The team at the Larder look to address the causes and barriers of beneficiaries may be experiencing through The Larders - Cook and dine classes.

These classes are free to those who are experiencing food insecurity; meaning limited access to food as a result of personal, financial or health issues.

The Larder’s talented chefs will coach beneficiaries through preparation, cooking skills, food planning and budgeting whilst making delicious meals from scratch. After the class, Beneficiaries will join their fellow classmates for a sit-down meal cooked with their own hands!

The Larder chefs will guide beneficiaries through this three-hour class, leaving them with new confidence and skills to take home; along with the recipes they have been cooking!

The Catalyst Kitchen provides a vital service to the West lothian Community and to help support the and raise and my supporting me you can help to have a impact to those most in need in our community and help to fight and alleviate food poverty.

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