Our Food Mission is for everyone to eat well every day by 2030. And to support this, Camden Council’s Library Services have proudly partnered with Lifeafterhummus, a local community food aid provider, to launch a new community café at Pancras Square Library.
We spoke to Farrah from Lifeafterhummus, and Fiona, Head of Libraries to find out more.
Farrah, tell us more about the café…
“We exist for the benefit of the community. The purpose is to sell affordable, nutritious food to Camden residents.”
“The café uses food that would otherwise go to waste – surplus food – collected by our social supermarket volunteers in Somers Town. Our chefs use these ingredients and cook with them so what’s on the menu changes every day.”
“We have community chefs who do the cooking – they’re local residents or friends of Somers Town, and they cook meals and cakes from the surplus that’s available.”
“By coming together in collaboration with Camden Council, we are not only giving people affordable, nutritious food, we are also developing an employability project.”
“We’re working to involve young people 16-25, care leavers, people with Special Educational Needs, young people with experience of the youth justice system, and adults who are trying to get back into the workplace by providing work experience in both the café and the kitchen.”
“A local mother was introduced to us, and after six weeks we saw a tremendous improvement in her confidence and communication skills – she joined the library, started bringing her son to the free library activities and passed her free food safety certificate Level 2. She now feels confident to look for part-time work with the support of Good Work Camden.”
“And a young man starting university approached us to ask if he could come and work for free as no one was giving him a chance when applying for part-time jobs. After just three sessions with us he used our support to re-write his CV and was successful being interviewed for a part-time hospitality job that will fit in well with his studies.”
“We are helping residents to build confidence, communication skills and stronger community connections.”
Fiona, tell us how the Community Café is benefiting residents…
“The Community Café has been such a wonderful addition to the offer to residents. The café is positioned adjacent to the Pancras Square children’s library. The café has softened the atmosphere and is supporting residents who are facing huge challenges.”
“The café is an additional link in the pairs of hands depicted in the Camden logo like a protective wrap around whilst residents meet Council teams. It has attracted new activities and enabled the library service to engage in a different way with new audiences.”
Visit the café
📅 Tuesday to Saturday
⏰ 12pm to 5.30pm
📍 St Pancras Square Library N1C 4AG
Get involved
If you have an idea for a Food Mission initiative, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us at WeMakeCamden@camden.gov.uk
