Restaurants and food producers can pledge meals for communities through Open Kitchens
A social enterprise is encouraging restaurants and food businesses to open their kitchens and cook meals to support communities across Chesterfield.
Working with charities and food banks, Open Kitchens has so far facilitated the distribution of over 124,000 meals to people in need across the UK. Pledging restaurants have been asked to work to a maximum budget of £1.85 per meal to cover costs, funded by community donations.
Original Recipes, Chesterfield manufacturer of the well-known potted meat, Granny Mary’s, is the first local business to work with Open Kitchens. The company has already produced over 700 pots for people in need, but aims to provide 3,000 in total, through donations to cover ingredients.
William Sutherland, Sales Director at Granny Mary’s said: “We would like to thank those who have recently donated, helping us to feed the families and elderly people, who are struggling to feed themselves during this pandemic.
“Our potted beef, which is made to Granny Mary’s original recipe is a highly nutritious premium product and we are keen to keep production going.
“In World War II, my grandparents, Eddie & Mary Sutherland supplied the same potted beef to feed the troops in the trenches and everyone back at home helping with the effort. And in the current crisis with the help of Open Kitchens we are able to help those who fought for us throughout the war and those who are helping fight this invisible war today.”
“If you can help in any way, please visit our just giving page and give what you can. Every penny given will be put into making products that can help feed our community. Just £1.15 is enough to provide life-sustaining food for someone in need whilst putting a smile on their face during this difficult time. And for every 10 pots we sell through Morrisons, we will donate one to the same cause.”
As well as supporting vulnerable people through Open Kitchens, the fourth generation family business is also stocking several Chesterfield businesses that are offering local delivery or collection including Casa Hotel’s Farm Shop, Dronfield Hall Barn and Owen Taylor & Sons.
Donations to support Original Recipes through Open Kitchens can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/originalrecipesokdonate?utm_term=Z8yg7JWA7.
Chesterfield restaurants and producers interested in supporting local people through Open Kitchens can find out more at https://openkitchens.co.uk/.
