Earlier this year, Galway City Partnership delivered the Community Pantry Project with the support of Safefood’s Community Food Initiatives (CFI) Programme. Running over seven weeks, the project focused on reducing food waste while supporting families to access nutritious food in a dignified, community-based setting. Eleven families took part, benefiting more than 45 individuals, with 1,164.81 kg of surplus food redistributed and diverted from waste.

A key element of the project’s success was the partnership with FoodCloud, which supported the sourcing of all surplus food used throughout the programme. Through this collaboration, high-quality surplus food from their Hub was redirected back into the community, ensuring families had consistent access to fresh, nutritious produce while significantly reducing food waste.

This partnership strengthened the project’s environmental impact and reinforced the value of collaboration in tackling food insecurity locally. Rather than simply providing food, the project placed a strong emphasis on education, empowerment, and choice. Each week, a cooking tutor prepared a healthy, low-cost meal with the group, demonstrating practical ways to increase nutritional value while keeping food affordable. This included using frozen vegetables, tinned beans, and pulses to boost fibre and plant-based protein, while reducing reliance on more expensive ingredients. Meals such as a Beef, Bean, and Lentil Chilli showed how reducing meat content could lower costs without compromising on taste or nutrition. Participants went home each week with the ingredients to recreate the meal for their families, alongside fresh fruit and vegetables, non-perishable items, and child-friendly additions such as yogurts for lunchboxes.

Wraparound supports were central to the programme’s success. MABS delivered a money management session focused on saving on grocery costs, with each participant receiving a resource pack to support ongoing budgeting. Health Promotion and Improvement Officers from the HSE facilitated a Five Ways to Wellbeing session early in the programme, using interactive activities to build connection and promote positive mental wellbeing. This early focus on wellbeing helped to foster strong social bonds, which continued to grow throughout the course.

The Community Pantry Project demonstrated strong value for money, with €364.62 invested solely in sourcing surplus food, generating €5,149.60 worth of food for participating families. Alongside the environmental benefits of surplus redistribution, the project supported households at risk of food insecurity while strengthening skills, confidence, and community connection.

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