Chris Steele-Kendrick is the founder of Streetbox based in Stamford Hill, North Hackney, London.
The organisation’ simple but big mission is to give as much as they get. Streetbox uses the support they receive to campaign to make change, both big and small that have positive lasting effects in their communities.
Streetbox main goal is to provide sustainable, affordable nutrition to (although not limited to) vulnerable groups through fresh produce. They will encourage and promote the use of surplus produce to minimise waste as well as raise awareness of a plastic free lifestyle.
Chris stated that “for every action we take we understand that there is a positive and negative impact on the environment and people around us. We recognise that we are not perfect, and we will always consider the effects of our actions to minimise any negative outcomes of what we do.”
BIRTH OF STREETBOX
Streetbox started after towards the end of lock down to help support the network of fantastic organisations such as Woodberry Aid that were tirelessly working to alleviate some of the difficulties people were suffering as a consequence of the Covid 19 situation.
Chris explained that “access to reliable sources of food, especially fresh fruits and vegetables was difficult and we recognised that a more sustainable solution was required if we were to be able to help support these groups into the future. We came up with a solution — to sell fresh produce to those who could afford it who in turn fund our work to supply fresh good nutritional produce to those who cannot. So, our veg box scheme was born.”
With a focus on redefining surplus and reducing food waste in a plastic freeway, They came up with an initiative that promotes a healthy nutritional lifestyle and gives back fresh produce to those that need it most.
The company’s activities will:
–Create competitively priced veg boxes using surplus food, surplus that offer a buy one give one free to local communities.
– Tackle food surplus and provide accessible, healthy, fresh and nutritional food, which has minimal or no packaging or plastic.
– Offer provision of ‘pay as you feel’ food options to alleviate food poverty.
– Educate people to reduce food and packaging in the food life cycle.
– Re-employ those on long term unemployment and provide vocational catering courses to help offer placements within the industry to provide work.
– Connect with communities to tackle shared problems.
– Promote zero waste.
CHRIS’ FINAL WORDS
“As a community interest company, and as our business grows, so too does our reach. Our partners in this initiative, Edible London (who spearheaded emergency food provision within Haringey during lockdown) will help us make sure that we connect to all areas of our communities that need help and the local organisations that are providing the most vital of work in the areas that they are in.”
