What is the Foodbank?

The Foodbank is part of Newmarket Open Door and exists to redistribute donated foods and household products to the members or users of charitable, voluntary and social welfare organisations.

The charity also operates the ‘Shop ‘n’ Share scheme with donation boxes in a number of supermarkets where the public can place donations of non-perishable items.

The Foodbank provides an alternative to the disposal of good edible food by the industry to landfill by meeting the needs of disadvantaged groups facing food insecurity.

How did the Foodbank begin?

Two homeless charities, Emmaus Cambridge and Jimmy’s Night Shelter worked in partnership to form the Foodbank in October 2001 that was based in a small workshop in Cambridge. In 2008 the Foodbank moved to larger warehouse premises in Newmarket and is now wholly operated by Newmarket Open Door. The two charities agreed to a merger later in the year.

Where are we?

The Foodbank is located at Unit 5 Craven Way, Newmarket in a warehouse and shop shared with the Open Door Charity Superstore. The charity also operates a delivery service for bulk orders and is looking to develop satellite outlets in partnership with other charities, sheltered accommodation and social welfare groups in Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Norfolk.

How does an organisation join?

Please download and complete the form.

Foodbank Membership Application Form

There is no charge for membership, which is open to charities, voluntary groups and those engaged in social welfare. Visits are by appointment only and unfortunately we do not have the resources to open to for individuals.

Membership organisations help a range of people that include:

• Homeless and ex-homeless
• Women in refuges
• Alcoholics and substance misusers
• Learning difficulties
• Physical and mental health disabilities
• Low income families
• Vulnerable young people
• The elderly

Foodbank Staff:

Ken Smith, Operations Manager, the Foodbank

Val Walker, Foodbank Warehouse Supervisor

John Durrant, General Manager, Newmarket Open Door

Foodbank Contacts :

Telephone 01638 561711  or 01638 600699 at the Open Door office.

E mail: portland.house@ntlworld.com

Websites:  www.newmarketopendoor.org.uk and

                  www.cambridgefoodbank.co.uk

Address: Unit 5 Craven Way, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 0BW

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How much will you pay?

We redistribute products for a basic handling charge of 40 pence per kilogram.

A limited number of items are charged at a slightly higher rate of 50 pence or £1. 

Some items are rationed so that as many customers as possible have a chance of purchasing items such as tea, coffee and oil.

What do we stock?
 

Our stock is variable depending on the donations but can include:

• Tinned soups, meat, fish, beans, fruit and vegetables
• Packet soups, flour, sugar and dried vegetables
• Jars of gherkins, beetroots, olives
• Frozen foods including ready meals
• Fresh fruit, salads and vegetables
• Breakfast cereals
• Biscuits, cereal bars, chocolates and sweets
• Cooking sauces, tomato sauces, chutneys, mayonnaise, salad creams
• Water, lemonades, squashes, colas, juices, milk and other soft drink 
• Cat and dog foods, tins, pouches, dried foods and litter
• Soap powder, bleaches, washing up liquids, toilet cleaners, dishwasher tablets and other cleaning products
• Shampoos, conditioners, toothpastes, soaps, shaving gels and other personal hygiene products
• Seasonal items such as and Easter eggs, Christmas puddings and tennis balls
• And much more!

        Why are these products available?

     Wholesalers and retailers donate items for a variety of reasons:

• Incorrect or changes to packaging
• Discontinued products
• Insufficient shelf life for distribution through shops
• End of trial runs
• Damage to outer packaging
• Donations from Shop ‘n’ Share and other public sources

Please note that all items are dated with the advisory code ‘best before end’ that means that the manufacturer does not guarantee the quality after the end date.

All items that coded with the instruction ‘use by’ are withdrawn immediately.

 Suppliers

The Foodbank redistributes over 70 tonnes per year that may otherwise be sent to landfill as waste. Our suppliers include:

• Manufacturers, processors and producers
• Wholesalers
• Caterers
• Re-packers
• Public and organisations 

Sponsors

The Foodbank was begun with funds from Emmaus Cambridge and Jimmy’s Night Shelter in 2001 and Emmaus has been remained a regular donor since then.

Grants have been received from Cambridge City Council, the Tudor Trust, Chivers, Jimmy’s, Barclay’s Bank, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Community Foundation….

 How can you help?

• Volunteers – we depend on the help we get to help sort stock

Volunteer Application Form

• Arrange a collection of food and money from your local voluntary group or church
• Book a staff member as a speaker, or if you have a newsletter or parish magazine help us with our publicity