Our main event of the autumn was the Eco Shabbat service in Stroud, reported elsewhere in this newsletter. However, the Eco-team have been busy behind the scenes, exploring other initiatives.
Following events nationally and in other Eco-Judaism communities, we held a discussion within the team on opportunities to minimise food waste. In addition to zero-packaging shops of which there are several within the Three Counties, there are also a number of local projects which aim to make use of food which would otherwise go to waste, or in some cases, providing food on a pay as you please basis to local communities.
Zero waste shops where you can refill your own containers or else buy vegetables without plastic packaging include:
- Pack it In, Cornmarket, Worcester, open 7 days a week including a café. https://packitin-zerowasteliving.co.uk/our-ethos/
- Greenlink, Graham Road, Malvern. Sells good range of organic veg. and refills.
- Severn Zero – The zero waste shop & refill shop, Lydney, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.
- Root refills, Alvin Street, Gloucester
- Loose – plastic free shop, 48 High Street, Stroud.
- Handley Organics, High Street, Ledbury – wide range of organic produce plus very efficient and well stocked refill section.
- Shiny Goodness in Nailsworth offers refills of Ecover and Faith in Nature products
Many areas have community fridges which pass on surplus food, often from supermarkets, which would otherwise be thrown away. This a wonderful way of minimising waste and benefiting the local community, especially for those in need. If you have any spare time to volunteer, this is a good project to support.
See: https://www.feedinggloucestershire.org.uk/community-food-support-map/
There are also community meal projects, which may or may not make use of food waste. Stroud and Cirencester have The Long Table, which offer opportunities to eat local, sustainably produced food with others. As a Jewish community, we already have plenty of opportunities for communal meals, but it may be worth members exploring other projects to create local connections.