East Area Panel Additional Document

Agenda Item 5 – East Brighton Food Project Update

Since March 2020 the East Brighton Food Co-Op (EBFCo) has been providing an emergency food service in East Brighton. Supported by local businesses and community organisations both in funding and donations of equipment, the committed volunteers have been making and delivering over 6,000 hot, nutritious per week to the community from their base in the Robert Lodge Community Kitchen.

In line with their long-term goal of combatting health inequality in East Brighton by providing the community with cooking lessons and affordable veg boxes, they are keen to find a new base from which they can begin this work. This would also allow for the Robert Lodge residents and local community to begin using their community space once again for the activities that have been put on hold due to COVID-19. The community room in the Kingfisher block in North Whitehawk will be the new home for the EBFCo to provide this important service and works have begun to make sure it’s a safe space for the volunteers to use. As well as the health and safety works being carried out, Housing will also be providing additional shelving and storage for the EBFCo‘s equipment and supplies. The necessary works are due to be completed by the end of August, after which the EBFCo will be supported to find a suitable move in date, and will share their news with the community and how residents can take part in the activities they will be setting up.