Residents in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, can enjoy a free, meat-free three-course lunch every Friday at 12:30 pm at the Felling Community Centre, Smithburn Road, Gateshead, NE10 9DT. The weekly event is organised by FoodCycle Felling and is designed to be a family-friendly space where neighbours can meet and share a meal together.
The project uses surplus food that would otherwise be thrown away to create healthy, three-course meals for the community. Unlike a traditional food bank, there is no need for a voucher or a referral to attend — FoodCycle says “no need to book, just turn up” — and the service is open to all. The aim is to make sure that everyone has access to a hot meal and good company in a relaxed, restaurant-style setting.
Information from Gateshead Council shows these services are a key part of local support for residents. The kitchen at the community centre was inspected on 14 February 2025; the inspection record shows “Good” for hygienic food handling and for cleanliness and condition of facilities, and “Generally satisfactory” for management of food safety, indicating that the venue met the council’s hygiene standards at that inspection.
Organisers are currently looking for more people to help keep the service running for the local area. There are roles available for cooks, hosts (to chat with guests), and volunteers who can collect surplus food from local shops. Those who want to help can get involved by emailing the local team at [email protected].
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