King’s reward for local food heroes

Local food waste champions have received a Royal invite in recognition of their charity’s good works.

Still Good Food is a Suffolk-based charity that rescues surplus food and redistributes it to the public through its shops in Bury St Edmunds and Great Barton.

It was recently honoured with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest award a voluntary group can get in the UK. The award, equivalent to an MBE, is announced on the King’s birthday every year in November.

Representatives of the charity have already received the award crystal and certificate from Lady Clare FitzRoy, Countess of Euston and Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk.

Two volunteers will also attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in early summer, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.

Gleaning coordinator Roz Scott said, “We simply could not exist without our marvellous volunteers, so this award is absolutely for them.

“They ‘glean’ fields to collect food from farms which would otherwise go to waste. They rescue unsold food from supermarkets and retailers.

“They staff our shops where all the food that’s been collected is distributed to our customers. Our mission to reduce food waste can only happen because of their time.

“We are absolutely thrilled that the dedication and support Still Good Food receives from local people has been recognised in the best possible way.”

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service honours outstanding work by local volunteer groups in support of their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and has been continued following the accession of His Majesty The King.

Still Good Food was one of 281 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award last year.

Over three months alone during the last harvest season, the Still Good Food volunteers rescued more than 12,500kg of produce, which was redistributed to the public.

 

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