Extraordinary things happen when people come together over food, but this Christmas, the joy of sharing a meal will extend far beyond the table with the Boursin® Care-staurant.
As the UK faces record levels of food insecurity and social isolation, demand for FoodCycle’s* vital services has surged by 57% over the past year. To sustain its mission to fight hunger and loneliness the charity needs to raise an additional £185,000 and fill 25,000 volunteer slots in 2025.
In support, Boursin® has this week opened the doors to its Care-staurant, a unique festive dining experience with purpose, where care and compassion are the main ingredients. Diners are invited to enjoy a special four-course festive feast for just £5 while contributing to something much larger.
Every donation will be tripled** by Boursin®, ensuring every meal served puts food on the table for someone who might otherwise go without. This latest initiative takes the brand’s total FoodCycle donation to £45,000 over the past two years, the equivalent of 19,000 hot meals for those in need.
Sophie Tebbetts, CEO of FoodCycle, says: “The Boursin® Care-staurant is an incredible example of how food can nourish bodies and souls while uniting communities for a greater cause. FoodCycle is about more than just providing meals – it’s about offering warmth, connection, and dignity with 92% of our guests feeling happier after attending a meal, and 84% feeling less lonely.
“We passed a landmark 3.5 million meals served earlier this year and with demand for our services at an all-time high, these donations will make a real difference.”
With FoodCycle now serving almost 3,500 meals weekly and operating 100 projects nationwide, initiatives like the Boursin® Care-staurant are crucial in ensuring the charity can meet growing needs.
The modern menu, curated by celebrity chef Jon Watts, features creative twists on festive flavours including an elevated chestnut, cranberry and Boursin® bruschetta and creamy Brussels sprout and pancetta risotto.
Jon, who found his passion for cooking in a young offenders’ institute during a transformative period in his life, says: “Having experienced loneliness and isolation myself, I know that food has the power to bring people together, spark connection, and inspire change. Without being dramatic, food saved my life, so it’s been incredible to see the Boursin® Care-staurant not only create joyful moments for diners themselves but also help thousands across the UK.”
The Boursin® Care-staurant is open to the public on Saturday, 30th November, and Sunday, 1st December. Limited tickets are available at BoursinCare-Staurant.eventbrite.com.
By dining with Boursin®, donating directly to FoodCycle or volunteering you can help make this season brighter for those who need it most. To learn more, visit foodcycle.org.uk and help make a difference this Christmas. Together, we can help fight hunger and loneliness this holiday season.
More Than a Meal: Tackling Hunger and Loneliness
FoodCycle’s impact is profound:
· FoodCycle feed the hungry and lonely in society using surplus food that would otherwise go to waste.
· Almost 3,500 meals are served weekly across the UK.
· 92% of guests report feeling happier after attending a meal
· 84% feel less lonely
· 69% eat most or all their meals alone (when not at FoodCycle)
· 73% said seeing people outside of the home is important to them
· 70% of guests struggle to keep their houses warm due to cost of living crisis
· 85% of guests have said they have struggled to pay the bills due to cost of living crisis
· 76% of guests expected that their financial situation will get worse
