FoodFutures' Midwinter Hamper celebrates the season whilst supporting Lancaster food hub

A volunteer packages up fresh produce at the Lancaster city centre food hub. Eggcup is a membership-based alternative to grocery stores.

Kiki Kornblatt Callihan, FoodFutures communications coordinator, writes about the focus of a local-only focus food and drink hamper.

Created to highlight local food producers and businesses, the Midwinter Hamper is full of locally produced food and locally made sustainable gifts.

It's pulled together by FoodFutures: North Lancashire’s Sustainable Food Partnership, with the aim of supporting local food producers whilst raising funds for Eggcup’s food justice and community building work.

Eggcup is a community hub for food club members. It uses its collective buying power to buy in bulk and reduce food costs for its members.

Created to highlight local food producers and businesses, the Midwinter Hamper is full of locally produced food and locally made sustainable gifts.

They also receive surplus foods donated from retailers who can no longer sell items due to time constraints or potential for spoilage.

As Eggcup bypasses conventional food systems, they are able to get food out to their membership sooner than a retailer might; stopping food from going to waste.

Catering groups are also called on to cook food before it goes off to provide pre-made meals for members.

During the Covid-19 crisis, Eggcup stepped up to provide food above and beyond their normal capacity - including deliveries to those sheltering at home.

Eggcup does not operate as a charity, but as a means to pool resources, ensuring healthy food is accessible and more affordable to a wider population.

In addition to supporting Eggcup with the proceeds of hamper sales, the hampers also supports small businesses and community groups.

Rather than asking for donations from producers we have chosen to spend with local businesses and community groups to support their work and our local economy.

The hampers include things like preserves, vinegar, cheeses, smoked fish and meat, recycled plastic soap dishes and handmade soaps, fairtrade chocolates and even a calendar.

Three long-standing and well-known local producers are included in the hamper:

*Synonymous with the Lancaster beverage landscape, Atkinsons - based in China Street - has been a part of the local landscape since 1837.

*Award-winning Pennine Way Preserves, founded in the 70s, is located in Stoney Lane in Galgate and uses locally sourced ingredients.

*Based at Glasson Dock, Lancaster Smokehouse was established more than 40 years ago because there was clearly a demand for high-quality items produced with traditional methods.

Learn more about the Midwinter Hamper and who is involved here and Eggcup’s work here