Members Newsletter | Issue 10
Co-op has chosen the Peckham Pantry to be their charity of the year
Welcome to Peckham Pantry’s February 2024 Newsletter!
Hello to our new members that have joined Peckham Pantry since January 2024, and we hope you enjoy shopping at the Pantry, as well as becoming part of our community. Please share your thoughts on our Peckham and St.Luke’s Pantry, as well as any newsletter recipes or your involvement with our steering group.
In this newsletter Shahid Mughal, our Head of Food Services gives an update on the Pantry and the impact it is making within our community. Plus, don’t forget to sign up to become a Coop member (and your friends and family) – it’s £1 and each time you shop at the Coop you will be supporting Peckham Pantry from now until October 2024.
Don’t forget…
To support our pantry and support the value it brings to many, please consider donating to the pantry via the Bankuet QR code or link. The Pantry is able to provide affordable food shops for their members because of the kindness and generosity of volunteers and donors.
Thank you.
Temi Okudiya
Peckham Pantry Manager
Peckham Pantry's Impact: A Year of Growth and Community Support
‘… the Pantry’s impact on the community has been substantial. The highlight of the year was the Christmas party where we served over 200 clients!’
In 2023, Peckham Pantry experienced remarkable growth, marking a 14% increase in client visits compared to the previous year. With over 17,400 visits recorded throughout the year, averaging 1,450 visits per month, the Pantry’s impact on the community has been substantial. The highlight of the year was the Christmas party where we served over 200 clients! This success is attributed to the Pantry’s deep integration within the community and the steady growth of a loyal customer base.
Building on the foundation of retaining a customer base of 2,100 clients, Peckham Pantry welcomed 1,620 new members in 2023. These individuals joined to experience the value of the pantry firsthand. The Pantry estimates that it saved its clients an impressive £270,000 over the year, a testament to its commitment to providing affordable and fresh food options to those in need.
‘… Peckham Pantry has allowed my children to have fresh fruit and veg and not just tinned. You were really there when I needed help. And everyone is so lovely.‘
– Peckham Pantry customer
Testimonials from members highlight the transformative impact of Peckham Pantry on their lives. One member shared, ‘I was using food banks to feed my family but there is only so much you can get and nothing fresh. Peckham Pantry has allowed my children to have fresh fruit and veg and not just tinned. You were really there when I needed help. And everyone is so lovely.’
Beyond providing essential food supplies, Peckham Pantry plays a vital role in supporting the local community, especially those facing financial hardships. Demographic data reveals that half of the members had children in their households, and a significant portion were single-adult households renting through social landlords. Moreover, the Pantry serves an ethnically diverse community, with 79% of recent survey respondents identifying as Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic members. This indicates that Peckham Pantry is attracting those who most need support to access affordable food.
Feedback from clients underscores the positive impact of being a Pantry member on both physical and mental health. Many express gratitude for the sense of security and relief the Pantry provides, particularly in ensuring they have enough food after paying bills.
Despite its achievements, Peckham Pantry faces challenges, including maintaining the quality and availability of culturally relevant food items and addressing significant financial hurdles. However, the Pantry remains committed to developing a viable business model to ensure its long-term sustainability while continuing to serve the community.
As we move forward into 2024, Peckham Pantry remains dedicated to its mission of providing essential support to the community and looks forward to overcoming challenges and continuing its impactful work.
Shahid Mughal
Head of Food Services
Ambassadors of the Month:
Noelli
Hello, I’m Noelli from Brazil.
I usually work one shift a week at Peckham Pantry, which is about 4 hours. and I’ve been volunteering since May 2021. At first, I decided to volunteer to improve my English and communication skills and when I discovered the Pantry on the Community Southwark website, I was really excited about it.
The concept of a food club fascinated me. Both of my parents faced financial challenges during their childhood, and I grew up hearing their stories. Therefore, the idea of reducing food waste and simultaneously helping people in the community with low incomes has a personal connection to me.
Throughout this time, I’ve had the opportunity to meet fantastic people, including volunteers and customers who come to the shop, some of them even became volunteers after a while, and it’s always a pleasure to be able to help and support others.
What I love most is when new people discover the Pantry and their faces light up with happiness. It’s heartwarming to see them become regulars, finding comfort and joy in what the Pantry has to offer.
Sonia
My name is Sonia, and I am a Legal Guardian to my granddaughter. Once my granddaughter was settled in school, I always thought about doing voluntary work, nearly 2 years ago a friend of mine wanted me to go to the Peckham Pantry with her.
When I arrived the staff was really friendly and me and my friend signed up to become a member and also was given a leaflet about volunteering, it was then that I knew this was the place where I could see myself in a customer facing environment, which also allows me to put back into the community. I’ve been volunteering for nearly 2 years now, doing one day a week. I really enjoy meeting different people and also the things you learn is so priceless, wonderful members and staff and a great place to be.
Peckham Pantry Steering Group
Peckham Pantry Steering Group is a group of pantry members, volunteers and staff who meet once a month to develop ideas on how to engage with pantry members and members of the wider local community.
We’ve got lots of plans for Peckham Pantry including a book swap, recipe cards and summer events, so stay tuned! You can join our group to share your ideas, all pantry members and ambassadors are welcome!
Our next meeting is on Tuesday 12 March 9.30-10.30am, and meetings take place at Pecan with the option to join online. If you would like to join our Steering Group, attend the next meeting, or just share an idea for Peckham Pantry, please contact Flora on 07929 999 006.
Or just pop by our next Peckham Pantry Coffee Morning on Wednesday 20 March from 10-11am at St Luke’s Church Peckham (Chandler Way, SE15 6DT) to join us for a cuppa and a chat!
Brazilian Black Beans (Vegetarian Feijoada)
Ingredients:
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 3 onions
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1½ teaspoons ground garlic
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- ½ teaspoon black or white ground pepper
- 2⅔ cups dried black beans (6-8 cups cooked)
- 5 cups of water
- 1 vegetable stock cube
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon red or white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ tablespoon Marmite (optional, also known as Vegemite, yeast extract)
To serve
- Steamed white or brown rice
- Steamed kale/savoy cabbage/chard.
- lemon quarters or slices of orange
Method
- Take two of the onions and chop or pulse 6-8 times in a food processor to easily chop. Puree the remaining onion in a food processor or blender and set aside for step 4.
- Fry the chopped onions in the olive oil over medium-high heat, stirring often, for 10 minutes. Add the 1/2 tsp salt at around the 5-6 minute mark when the onions are slightly golden.
- Add all the spices and seasoning from the garlic to the ground pepper and stir well, toasting for two minutes.
- Add in the pureed onion and fry for five minutes, stirring often.
- Now add in the beans water and stock cube. Check the notes for cooking times.
- After the beans have finished cooking, bring to the boil and add in the two types of vinegar, soy sauce and marmite (optional). Reduce to a simmer and let cook for five minutes more.
- Remove the bay leaves. If you’d like to thicken the sauce you can blend it a little, no more than half a cup. Serve!
Notes
For cooked canned/tinned beans, only add 4 cups of water at first and simmer the beans on a high temperature for 15 minutes before preceding to step 6. You can add up to a cup of water later if you’d like to adjust the consistency.
BBC Food - £1 Dinners
Events at Pecan
Pecan is a community charity based in Peckham, Southwark and Peckham Pantry is a part of Pecan’s Food Services. To find out more about Pecan and to become part of the Pantry’s wider community, visit Pecan’s website: www.pecan.org.uk and sign up to Pecan’s newsletter.
Pantry Opening Times
49-53 Peckham Park Road, SE15 6TU
- Monday- 9am - 4pm
- Tuesday- 11am - 4pm
- Wednesday- 9am - 4pm
- Thursday- 10am - 7pm
- Friday- 9am - 4pm
- Saturday- 9am - 3pm
- Sunday- Closed
St Lukes Church, Chandler Way, SE15 6DT
- Monday- Closed
- Tuesday- Closed
- Wednesday- 10am - 2pm
- Thursday - Closed
- Friday - Closed
- Saturday - Closed
- Sunday - Closed
Vacancies
If you would like to become a Pantry Ambassador then contact us at:
email: pantry@pecan.org.uk
tel: 020 7277 7075.
website: www.pecan.org.uk/peckham-pantry
We currently partner with Tropical Sun, who support us by matching our purchases from them, pound for pound. We are committed to sourcing a diverse range of food for our members to have the best selection possible.Tropical Sun’s Partnership gives back to the local community, making it possible for us to stock an ethnically diverse range of food that caters to our members’ needs and tastes.
