May 2026 Newsletter

Here is a copy of May 2026 newsletter sent to all who have signed the Gateshead Food Charter: if you would like to receive emails like this in future, or contribute to the newsletter sharing something with around 200 members, please sign up here.

Hello Gateshead Food Partnership members,

Here is your news from across Gateshead Food Partnership this month. As always, if there is anything you would like to share in future newsletter please don’t hesitate to contact me.

1. Spotlight on… every month we shine a spotlight on a project or group who are working towards the aims of our Gateshead Food Charter, to raise awareness and champion our local community organisations and to inspire opportunities for partnership working.

This month’s spotlight is on Foodcycle

FoodCycle is a national charity that brings communities together by transforming surplus food into free, nutritious meals, helping to tackle food waste and social isolation. FoodCycle Felling hosts a welcoming community meal every Friday at lunchtime, 12.30pm, offering local residents a chance to enjoy a hot, two-course meal and connect with others in a friendly, inclusive setting.

FoodCycle Gateshead Felling is only possible thanks to great volunteers giving their time, enthusiasm and energy. If you’d like to volunteer at one of these events, they are always looking for cooks, hosts and food collection volunteers. Find out more here.

The Foodcycle regional team are looking to open a community meal at one other venue in Gateshead, and are also looking for projects interested in becoming franchise partners. If you have a setting in mind or are interested in hearing more about partnerships, please get in touch with Steve Sheard stevesheard@foodcycle.org.uk.

1.News, needs, and offers from Food Partnership members

• Gibside Community Farm are busy on the fields at this time of year! They’re looking for more volunteers on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and you can subscribe to their lovely organic veg boxes via their new website: Gibside Community Farm | Sustainable organic farming & community in the North East 
• Food Hygiene training for Kurdish and Farsi speaking volunteers: The team at St Chad's Community Project are organising some food hygiene training session with in-person interpretation into Kurdish and Farsi. The sessions will take place in either June or July, and placed will be limited in line with funding. To give us a better sense of numbers, if anyone at your organisations would be interested in taking part in these sessions, please email Hafsa on hafsa@stchadscommunityproject.org to register interest.
• Green Heart Collective have very sadly announced that they are closing their shop and café space on Gateshead High Street, on 19^th June. However, sadness is mixed with excitement as they will be taking on a new studio space in Gateshead town centre to continue their upcycling and sewing workshops. Their event The Alt Met Gala last month was a great success and we’re excited to see what they do. Show Andy and Helen your support and thanks for all they’ve done for Gateshead High Street by popping in to the shop before 19^th June – everything must go, all clothing and accessories are £3 – grab a bargain!

2. What we’ve been up to

The Late Shows

We had a great time at Gateshead Central Library for The Late Shows. Food Partnership member the brilliant Herb Hub were busy all night making lovely things with dried and fresh herbs; we had a food waste quiz, lots of interesting chat about food system issues and opportunities in Gateshead; and a popular pic'n'mix bag of fruit sweets rescued and dehydrated by REfUSE. The perfect fuel visitors needed as they toured the other activities at the Library all themed around "the power of plants".... then on to the 11 other venues full of creativity in Gateshead Town centre!

Gateshead Railway Quarter Arches event

The launch of Gateshead’s newest event space was a great success, with plenty of sunshine and a fantastic turnout from the local community. Visitors enjoyed an afternoon of food, activities and performances from local organisations and artists, with the backdrop of the beautiful newly painted arches in the Railway Quarter. Gateshead Food Partnership member Hope Beyond Borders were there, running a popular workshop where people got stuck into making delicious vegetarian arepas. If you’re interested in getting involved with an event like this in future – keep scrolling to section 6!

Bensham Bites

Currently funded by an Awards for All, Bensham Bites continues to run workshops in the communities of Bensham, Saltwell, Teams and Dunston with the Comfrey Project, HerbHub, St Chads Community Project, Good Natured and The Chev. The first two workshops of this series of twelve took place at St Chads Community Project and Bensham Court. At St Chads, led by Edie, we made planters using beer Key Kegs. These beer kegs are sold as being sustainable but are single use. Whilst we were making our planters, we had an interesting conversation around greenwashing and the contradictions that can happen with eco-friendly strategies. The second workshop at Bensham Court, was led by Christine of Good Natured, where we learnt about microgreens and how easy it is to grow in small spaces and on windowsills. People went away with their own microgreens to grow from seed and we are looking forward to seeing them grow. To find out how to get involved check out Dingy Butterflies CIC's website and join us for our network meeting on the 15 June at the Comfrey Project, https://www.dingybutterflies.org/bensham-bites-in-june-july/.

3. Upcoming events

Beyond Foodbanks: Feeding Britain Network Gathering. 3^rd July 2026.

Following the save the date last month, you can now sign up to attend the Feeding Britain network gathering on Friday 3rd July 2026. The event will be held at the Urban Sciences Building, Newcastle University, 1 Science Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5TG. The event will start at 10:15am (with the venue open from 9:45am) and run until 3:30pm. The venue will also stay open until 4:00pm for those who would like to network with other partners.
The day will include a number of practice-sharing workshops and talks from colleagues across the Feeding Britain network, covering topics including food supply and sustainability, children's food provision, wraparound support, and how frontline charities can influence policy, as well as wider discussion on moving beyond foodbanks.
Please sign up using this registration form by Monday 15th June. It would be great to see lots of Gateshead organisations represented there: a fantastic opportunity to hear about policy, practice, and research around the topic of food insecurity, and to learn from projects around the UK.

The venue has limited capacity, so Feeding Britain have said that if attendance exceeds capacity, they may need to limit attendance to 1-2 individuals per organisation.

If you have any questions about this event please contact Anna Lopez, Project Manager, Feeding Britain, www.feedingbritain.org

Bensham Bites Workshops

Join Bensham Bites for a series of FREE workshops for Gateshead residents and organisations exploring community food, nature, and art. See flyer below and attached. Bensham Bites are also seeking a freelance creative to co-develop, with local participants, a nature and food-themed resource for the community, contributing artwork that can be shared in packs, online and at a celebratory event: please help share the advert attached with anyone you think could be suitable.

Sustain webinars on new Crisis and Resilience Fund and the charitable food sector

If you missed it I highly recommend watching the recording of this webinar held on 15 April. Following this, Sustain are working with IFAN to hold a follow up webinar focused on developing wraparound support alongside food aid projects. We will be hearing from frontline speakers about how they developed a strong wraparound offer, what worked or didn’t work, and some practical information and tips for others. This event is aimed at frontline food projects, food partnerships and alliances, local authorities and other interested voluntary and community organisations. Book your spot now: https://www.sustainweb.org/events/jun26-the-crisis-and-resilience-fund/

Pop-up community festivals are happening over the summer on the sites of 4 high rise blocks in Gateshead. There'll be a DJ, food, crafting activities, gardening workshops, lawn games, etc. All are welcome! The events will be taking place on 4 consecutive Wednesdays:

• Ripley Court, Harlow Green on 24 June, 3-6pm;
• Adelaide Court, Mulgrave Terrace on Wednesday 1 July, 3-6pm;
• St Cuthberts Court, St Cuthberts Road, Bensham on Wednesday 8 July, 3-6pm;
• Fell Court, Bluebell Close, Beacon Lough on Wednesday 15 July, 3-6pm

4. Food Justice Network

Last month’s newsletter explored more around the work we are doing across the network towards out our shared vision, the first statement in the Gateshead Food Charter, that Gateshead becomes a place where everyone has access to healthy, nutritious, and affordable food, moving from reliance on food aid to food justice and resilience.

We’re launching a new network: a working group part of the Food Partnership that is specifically focussed on this first aim of the food charter. Feeding Families will host the network, which for now we are calling a ‘Food Justice Network’ but we’d love for the name, as well as the terms of reference and specific objectives, to be set by the people who are part of it. We’re looking for people to join this working group to help build a stronger collective voice, work together across Gateshead organisations to share practical solutions, improve quality of food offered, and support more sustainable models. If you would like to be part of this network, please email Wayne wayne@feedingfamilies.org.uk.

5. Summer holiday family support

Brighten the Day is back for the school Summer Holidays. It’s funded fun and food in the holidays for children in years reception to Year 11. Make sure you tell families in your community to check their emails on 23^rd June and click on the e-voucher to see what’s on offer and make bookings. Please see the flyer attached for more info and links to guidance about how to sign up.

Great British Summer Savings Keep an eye out for ways families you support can save this summer. From late June to early September, the government’s new “Great British Summer Savings” scheme means cheaper kids’ meals, discounted tickets to cinemas, theatres and attractions, plus free bus travel for 5–15 year olds in August: helping families enjoy low-cost days out while budgets are still tight.

(Incidentally, though it may be positive for families to be able to take kids out for food in the holidays, all parents will know it’s a mixed bag when it comes to kids menus serving up good nutrition – the Soil Association’s out to lunch campaign monitors this in detail. I found this blog post helpful in summarising the issue of relieving short-term pressures but knocking out longer-term priorities.

6. Get involved: Food events in Gateshead Town Centre – Sunday 2nd August

Gateshead Council are hosting a food festival event on Sunday 2nd August across Gateshead town centre: including a Community Cook-off, hot food stalls, children’s activities, and a cookery demo stage. They are inviting organisations and community groups to get involved, it would be great if some of our Food Partnership members could showcase and share their expertise on cooking nutritious food that celebrates plants, diverse tastes and cultures, and boosts health.

Community Cook Off – Railway Quarter
A friendly BBQ cook‑off where community groups can enter a team of 6 (12 teams in total). Food, charcoal BBQs and all equipment are provided. The event will run roughly 10am–4pm and will also include music and family activities. This is being jointly hosted by Gateshead Council Community Safety, the Town Centre Manager and Northumbria Police. Complete the expression of interest form here. Gateshead Food event - Expression of Interest

Food stalls and cookery demonstrations

I’ve committed Gateshead Food Partnership to take on some food engagement activities: the proposal is a cookery demonstration stage and a rota of workshops a bit like we ran at the From Gardens to Gatherings event in Saltwell Park last year. Please get in touch with me – NikkiDravers@gateshead.gov.uk if you are interested in being on stage doing a cooking demo, running a workshop, or selling a product.

7. Call for Northern Farmers to host Learning Hubs

Northern Food and Farming are looking for three Northern Farmers who can work collaboratively to co-develop pilot activities that align with the NFF priority action areas– an opportunity to help shape a fairer, more resilient food system while developing your own farm, with funding and support available for pilot projects. Deadline is 5pm on Monday 8 June to submit an expression of interest. 

If you are a farmer embedded in your local networks, and you're open to sharing challenges as well as success. We invite you to apply.

Please read all the details including the selection criteria in the recruitment pack and submit your expression of interest by 8th June.

8. Job opportunity

REfUSE are recruiting a Volunteer Champion: a full-time, hands-on role based at their amazing community café in Chester le Street. You will be leading their volunteer programme, supporting recruitment, training and coordination in a busy, community-focused team. Deadline is soon! 7th June. More info in their recruitment pack : Work with us - REfUSE Durham

9. Recipe of the month

We're lucky to have Chef Anthony O'Shaughnessy on our Food Partnership steering group, bringing energy and ideas around food education and engagement. Anthony has kindly put together a recipe to share with our network: Caldo Verde - Portuguese Green Soup. I've added it to our website’s blog page: Recipe for Spring: Caldo Verde

Let us know if you try it! 
Check out Anthony's site COOK'S INSTINCT by @anthonyshock | Substack and follow @AnthonyShock on Instagram for more great recipes.

 10. Nourish the Wild’s Edible Plant of the month

Than from Nourish the Wild has kindly offered to provide us with a new addition to the newsletter, highlighting what edible wild plants are out there to try! This month it is…

Lady's Smock (Cardamine pratensis)

There is no better time of year than now to savour the delicately pink hues of the Lady's Smock or Cuckoo Flower as it's also known. Look out for this wild cousin of your common mustard greens in damp grasslands and even in gardens (another reason to refrain from mowing your grass as often). Being in the mustard family, all parts of this plant are edible. The leaves have a strong kick of Wasabi or Water Cress. You can also try the flowers as a garnish in your salads. However, make sure to leave some for the pollinators. Lady's Smock is also one of the primary food plants of caterpillars of the equally splendid Orange Tip butterfly, which you may well have seen darting around at this time of year. 

11. Gateshead Tech4Communities

The Tech4Communities programme has now opened to applications for devices from people living in Gateshead who need access to a mobile phone, tablet or laptop. Devices that were donated locally have been securely wiped and professional refurbished and are now ready to be distributed to their new homes.

Applying is simple: applicants with a Gateshead address will complete the application form with their details, and list a professional who is unrelated to them who can act as their verifier. They will then be contacted automatically to ask them to confirm that the applicant is in need of one of these devices. After verification is confirmed, and the application approved to receive a device, the Digital Poverty Alliance team will ship the device to the address listed on the application. https://digitalpovertyalliance.org/tech4communities/

Please note the number of devices is limited, and these will be 1 per person and assigned on a first come first served basis, once the applications have been verified.

If someone would like support to set up and use their Tech4Communities donated devices, they can book an appointment with the Gateshead Libraries digital team at

Central Library, Birtley Library, Blaydon Library, and Leam Lane Library. To book an appointment, call 0191 433 8422 or email digitalteamlibs@gateshead.gov.uk

I attach a digital leaflet that contains essential information on digital skills, support, and free/discounted connectivity.

12. What to watch/read/listen to

(I had lots in this section last month and am still getting through them myself, so keeping it light this time! If you are receiving this newsletter for the first time and want any copies of previous months please don’t hesitate to ask)

Webinar:

• Mentioned above, I highly recommend watching the recording of this webinar held on 15 April about Crisis and Resilience Funding and how charitable food projects can respond.
• The Food Foundation create short ‘quite bites’ about food system issues and policy updates, like this one about food price inflation Quick Bites: Could the Iran crisis trigger more food price spikes?

Podcasts:

• Eat the system podcast highlights projects around the UK that are working towards food system change, lots of inspiration to be found
• The Feeding Britain podcast is always good ‘food for thought’… this episode includes Prof. Greta Defeyter talking about the future of Holiday Activities and Food Programme

Reports:

• New Sustain report: Bridging the Gap – sets out how, amid rising food prices, schemes like vouchers and mobile greengrocers can make healthy, sustainable food more affordable for low-income communities while supporting local growers and economies. How organic in local shops benefits people and communities | Sustain

Thanks for reading! Please be in touch if you have anything to share, any ideas, needs, thoughts, or stories about how we can work together towards our Gateshead Food Charter vision. The challenge is huge but the opportunities to work together are transformational.

Best wishes

Nikki