A new ‘Real Junk Food’ café opened its doors in East Brighton on Saturday, 26 November, with the aim of reducing food waste in the city.

The Real Junk Food Project café makes use of surplus food sourced from local providers, that would otherwise go to waste.

The café operates on a pay-as-much-as-you-feel basis, giving everyone access to healthy, delicious, and affordable food – which, due to the cost-of-living crisis and approaching winter, is more important than ever.

The Real Junk Food Project forms part of a new £1.2m refurbishment of the Fitzherbert Community Hub in Kemptown. The development was delivered by The Catholic Parish of East Brighton which owns the property, together with Brighton Table Tennis Club, The Real Junk Food Project, and Voices in Exile.

The Real Junk Food Project is a ‘Leading On Climate Action’ project supported by The National Lottery. The project is designed to foster positive environmental activity and behaviour change, not only in the café but also in the community garden, with growing projects and composting initiatives. There will be learning opportunities at the café and school engagement at the community hub.

The Fitzherbert Community Hub opens from 11am to 4pm on Saturdays, with food provided by The Real Junk Food Project Brighton, prepared in the café’s new kitchens. The hub will be an opportunity to share plans for the community about how to take action on climate change locally.

Paul Loman, Executive Director of the Real Junk Food Project Brighton, said:  “We are all excited by the possibilities that are presented to us by such a wonderful space. 

“We have an opportunity to help people who are experiencing food poverty whilst taking meaningful action to address climate change which is having a major effect on all our lives.”

Photo: The Real Junk Food Project