About Us
Who we are and what we do
We turn surplus food into healthy meals for those who need them.
We are a volunteer led movement that was initially set up as an emergency response to the COVID-19 crisis, but we have evolved into a long-term provider of food security to those in need. We take food donations and convert them into breakfasts, lunches, dinners and treats. Community volunteers then package these meals into ‘day packs’ for delivery across Edinburgh.
We provide each and every meal free of charge.
Our Goals
Empty Kitchens Full Hearts is first and foremost a movement driven by the following principles:
Serve Others Without Judgement
We are charitable in nature, but our actions are from a standpoint of respect and solidarity, not pity or saviourism. We will help as many people as we can, where and when we can. We will never ask clients to prove their need and will make no judgement of why they might need our support.
Advocate for a Fairer Food System for All
As an organisation set up by chefs, we understand the conditions and pressures associated with being a worker in the modern food system. From farmers to fast food workers the push for ever cheaper food places a huge demand on both our society and the environments we live in. By championing meaningful change through education and utilising our platform to lobby the government, we aim to make a long-term difference. By fostering an environment where kindness is more important than cost, we can provide a platform for our team to express their individuality and creativity.
Waste Not
We repurpose food surpluses to benefit those who struggle with food insecurity. We transform food that would otherwise go to waste into healthy meals for people in need, thus preventing it from ending up in a landfill. Wherever possible we strive to reduce waste, recycle assets and materials and reduce our negative environmental impacts.
Create a Community
We have created our own community and support network, tying people from different walks of life together through shared values. We continually strive to ensure the safety and well-being of our volunteers. Volunteering with Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts is a benefit to both society and the individual.
Aim for Redundancy
Our ultimate goal is for organisations like ours no longer to be needed because safe access to food has been thoroughly addressed by local and national government. Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts does not intend to simply become part of the ‘poverty industry’ but rather strives for a long-term solution to these challenges.
