A pioneering new community-led café for Cally
Islington Council, in partnership with Manor Gardens Welfare Trust, has launched an innovative new community café at Jean Stokes Community Centre that is tackling food waste and providing affordable and sustainable meals for residents.
Nestled in the heart of the Cally community, Jean’s Café will serve meals on a pay-what-you-feel basis, so that everyone can enjoy a healthy and nutritious meal regardless of their financial situation. These meals will be made from surplus food donated from local businesses, supermarkets and charities such as the Felix Project. These local supplies are delivered to the café by environmentally friendly cargo bikes, in partnership with OurBike.
The café will be open every Friday, serving delicious meals from 1pm. There is also the option to arrive from 11am to take part in weekly cooking sessions led by a talented local chef. These sessions will provide hands-on experience in preparing wholesome meals and will encourage community members to reduce food waste, build their cooking skills and connect with their community.
Jean’s Café will also offer a range of volunteer opportunities, allowing residents to get involved in different ways. Volunteers can contribute as café hosts, assisting with meal service, or by supporting the collection and delivery of food surplus from local businesses.
The Councillors of the Caledonian Ward Paul Convery, Sara Hyde and Una O’Halloran said: “Jean’s Café is a fantastic example of bringing people together and making a real difference. Like the centre itself, the café is named in memory of Jean Stokes, one of the Cally’s first community heroes who did so much for the neighbourhood.
“We’re in the heart of a working-class area that has a proud tradition of helping each other out. Despite some hard times, we’re a community that’s pulling together. By providing affordable, homemade food, sharing a meal together and creating a welcoming space for residents, this project will have a lasting impact on the Cally.”
Vaida Filmanaviciute, local resident and Community Chef at Jean’s Café, said: "When it comes to surplus food it's important to remember that only the ingredients are 'surplus'. All meals at Jean's Café are cooked from scratch, on the day, and couldn't be fresher or more nutritious.
"When vegetables are harvested, they don’t come with an expiry or 'best before' date. As a society, we need to regain the skill to identify good-to-use produce. I feel very proud and incredibly privileged to share my culinary creations with the Cally community. Breaking bread together builds bonds, and I hope we can bring this magic to The Cally."
Residents and businesses are encouraged to get involved and support Jean’s Café and the wider Cally Community Food project. For more information, please visit the islingtonlife.london/CallyFoodProject.
Notes to editors
This vital initiative is delivered in partnership with Manor Gardens Welfare Trust, a local wellbeing charity and the Chair of the Islington Food Partnership. The initiative was developed in response to community aspirations highlighted in the We Are Cally plan, which called for more accessible, affordable, and sustainable food options in the area.
This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
With funding from the GLA’s Future Neighbourhoods Programme, Islington Council’s Local Economies team collaborated with local businesses to create a Green Economy Plan, identifying food waste reduction as a key priority. ReLondon are supporting the project and were funded by Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance to deliver a circular food community in partnership in The Cally ward with Islington Council.
Contact information
If you are a member of the public with a general question about the council please view the contact information on our website or call 020 7527 2000.