Celebrating vital community work this World Food Day
On World Food Day, people around the globe reflect on the role food plays in shaping lives, communities, and futures.
World Food Day is celebrated every October 16th, uniting millions in an urgent call to recognise food’s life-shaping power from nourishment and wellbeing to dignity and hope. The convergence of global economic, environmental, geopolitical and food system crises has created record breaking need. Today, 733 million people face hunger globally. This is much more than a date on the calendar. It’s a worldwide movement that challenges communities to acknowledge that food is fundamental to every aspect of life.
For City Harvest, this day is deeply significant. It’s everything we are all about a time to celebrate the harvest and renew our commitment to supporting the most vulnerable across London. This year, we will be marking World Food Day with a special celebration at Westminster Abbey. City Harvest, alongside other food redistribution and social impact charities, will be part of the National Harvest Festival service at the Abbey.
One of our trademark food rescue vans, part of the fabric of London, will welcome guests and collect food donations, symbolising City Harvest’s commitment to nourishing the city and fighting food poverty.
In the spirit of sharing the bounty during harvest time, fresh produce donated by UK farmers and growers will be delivered to the Abbey Centre after the church service. The centre is a stone’s throw from the abbey, and brings people together daily through food. Here, food is more than just fuel – it’s a connector, a leveller, and the starting point for hope.
Celebrating the Abbey Centre’s vital work
For 77 years, the Abbey Centre has been at the heart of its community, a vibrant hub where meals, creativity, and support services come together to help residents thrive “from cradle to grave.” From affordable fresh meals at the Wash House Café to group exercise classes and arts activities, the Centre blends practical help with cultural enrichment. In recent years, the team has developed the pantry model to offer a full shop to people – mostly families – for a small, nominal fee. This allows the dignity of choice, and any proceeds go back into the pantry to supplement the stock with anything needed, such as hygeine items or halal meat.
City Harvest began delivering to the Abbey Centre in 2017, and to date, we have provided an incredible 150,378.5 kg of food through 548 deliveries. City Harvest’s ongoing partnership with the Abbey Centre exemplifies how food can be a catalyst for resilience and unity, especially for those facing hardship in London.
From Meal to Meaningful Change
Guests often arrive for food or companionship and end up finding much more, says Caroline (Caz) Gandy-Brown, Service and Volunteer Manager at the Abbe Centre.
“People are lonely and isolated. They love coming here because they meet people. They build trust. And then they share — sometimes it’s about going without food for days, sometimes about bigger struggles like rent arrears or debt. That’s when we step in.”
Rather than referring people elsewhere, the Abbey Centre connects them directly to Citizens Advice officers and in-house support staff who help address challenges face-to-face. This proactive, holistic approach reduces stress and restores dignity — exactly the kind of community-led impact World Food Day seeks to spotlight.
“It’s about giving people dignity and control,” one staff member explained. “They’re not a case number here — they’re part of our community.” Says Caz.
Community Pantry: Choice and Empowerment
The Abbey Community Pantry was created in response to the cost-of-living crisis. Members can choose the groceries they need without being means-tested, giving them control over their own food and budgets.
“The pantry is empowering,” said Caroline “Caz” Gandy-Brown. “That freedom of choice eases anxiety and lets people help themselves.”
The Pantry’s impact wouldn’t be possible without City Harvest London, whose free weekly deliveries of fresh fruit, vegetables, and surplus food ensure households across Westminster can put nutritious meals on the table.
“Without City Harvest, we simply couldn’t offer fresh produce at this level,” Caz explained. “They stop food from going to landfill and instead fill homes with nourishment — both physical and emotional.”
Sharing Beyond the Pantry
The Centre ensures no surplus is wasted. Extra food supports:
- Wednesday meals for people experiencing homelessness
- Friday warm space dinners during colder months
- Hostels for men living nearby
This cycle of generosity embodies the World Food Day ideal of “leaving no one behind” — turning rescued food into shared meals and shared experiences.
“When you break bread with someone, it’s a leveler,” says the team. “It doesn’t matter your background or status — sharing a meal brings people together.”
Food, Friendship and a Future
At Abbey Centre special is how every item donated or meal shared creates ripples of connection. Any surplus food from the pantry is used for Wednesday night meals for people experiencing homelessness, Friday warm space gatherings, or passed on to local hostels.
“Food goes beyond sustaining someone’s wellbeing,” the team said. “When you break bread with someone, it doesn’t matter what your background or status is — it’s a leveler. There’s something powerful about sharing a meal.”
Abbey Centre is only one of the 365+ charities that City Harvest supports for free. On World Food Day, the Abbey Centre reminds us that in fighting hunger and isolation, local spaces matter as much as global policy. They prove that nourishing a person’s body is the first step to nourishing their hope.
Support our mission this World Food Day
Help City Harvest to rescue and deliver more vital free food to London’s communities.
