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The Bread and Butter Thing is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Maidstone, the foundational operational base for its expansion across the South East.
What began as a single van service has transformed into a national charity supporting over 100,000 households and unlocking the equivalent of 70 million meals across 160 communities in England.
In Maidstone, four local hubs operating out of Blackthorn Trust, Park Wood, Shepway, and Trinity continue to drive regional success. Supported by Maidstone Borough Council, these hubs offer residents access to low-cost, nutritious groceries while reducing surplus food waste. Membership is entirely free with no means testing, allowing anyone to purchase three bags of fresh fruit, vegetables, chilled products, and cupboard staples for £8.50.
To complement the weekly service, the council developed a custom Community Cookbook packed with recipes designed around typical hub ingredients to encourage healthy home cooking. High demand has already prompted a second printing, which will be distributed to all Maidstone hubs shortly.
Beyond practical food access, local collections have evolved into vibrant community connection points where neighbours gather, share ideas, and build resilience. Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Safety, Councillor David Naghi, highlighted the vital collaboration between supermarkets and local partners in reducing waste, while Chief Executive Vic Harper praised the dedicated volunteers and members who ensure the Maidstone hubs remain a reliable, essential lifeline.