Welcome to Waste into Wellbeing
Waste into Wellbeing (WIW), is a volunteer led project in the heart of Kendal. We’re creating a vibrant and resilient community by bringing people together around good food.
Surplus food collected from local supermarkets, shops and eateries which would otherwise be wasted is served as delicious meals in Kendal People’s Café or shared with others through the community larder. We also host a community kitchen, offering training opportunities and social events.
Hosted by community-based charity, South Lakes Action on Climate Change (CIO), WIW is delivering an important environmental impact by providing a solution to reduce food waste, a significant contributor to Green House Gas emissions through landfill. In 2025, WIW redistributed 40 tonnes of surplus food. That equates to 128 tonnes of CO2, the equivalent to an average petrol car travelling 640,000 miles (anthesisgroup.com).
Kendal People’s Café
A warm and welcoming café using surplus food to serve delicious meals and treats on a pay-as-you-can basis.
Community Larder
A bustling larder sharing fresh, chilled and frozen surplus food for a suggested minimum donation. Open to all.
Community Kitchen
A state of the art, low carbon kitchen that hosts a range of community cooking events and activities.
Donate
It costs over £1,000 per week to continue the work we do. Become a Waste into Wellbeing Champion by signing up to our regular donation scheme or make a one-off donation to support our work.
Volunteer
With a busy calendar of events and activities throughout the year, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved, whatever your interests.
We couldn’t do it without you!
Let’s applaud those individuals and organisations who recognise that they can make a huge difference to their community and the environment by supporting the work we do!
Opening Times
Our Kendal People’s Café and Community Food Larder are open from 12pm-1:30pm every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.