Volunteers praised for food group success

A community group which helps to reduce food waste has become "self-sustaining", a council has said.

The Chop, Chat and Change project was established in October 2025 with initial funding from North Kesteven District Council.

The group, run by GoGro CIC, prepares vegetables for use in recipes to help people create tasty and healthy meals.

Volunteer Sara Smith said: "Making sure the donated vegetables are used and then seeing the impact it has on people is very rewarding."

The volunteers meet each Wednesday at the Riverside Centre in Sleaford between 10:00 and 12:00 GMT and the food is distributed by Sleaford Community Grocers.

Officials say the group has become a "warm, social space where people can connect and learn new skills".

Gabriel Pretorius, who regularly attends the sessions, said: "It's good to have something to get out of the house and to do something for other people.

"I love hearing the positive feedback from customers at the grocery. They don't always know how to start with getting ingredients so the packs are a big help for them, so it's very rewarding."

The Chop, Chat and Change project is also run by groups in Gainsborough and Lincoln.

Rob Hewis, a co-director of GoGro CIC, said the response to the Sleaford group had been "amazing".

"To have a hyper-local group where people understand the direct impact the project has on the community makes them more passionate in what they do."

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