Wetherby & District Foodbank Announces New Community Partnership with The Organic Pantry

Wetherby & District Foodbank, part of the Trussell Trust foodbank network, covering Wetherby and Tadcaster and surrounding villages, is pleased to announce a new partnership with The Organic Pantry, based at Newton Kyme, bringing together two local organisations committed to supporting communities, promoting sustainability and making a positive difference across the region.

This collaboration introduces a simple, accessible way for Organic Pantry customers to help keep the foodbanks stocked with essential items for local people facing food insecurity, directly through their regular home deliveries of fresh produce.

A Simple, Community Driven Way to Give

Through the new partnership, customers receiving an Organic Pantry fresh produce delivery box can now donate essential food and non-food items by leaving them, alongside their delivery box, for collection. These donations will be transported directly to Wetherby & District Foodbank, helping to provide vital cupboard staples for individuals and families experiencing hardship.

The initiative aims to make giving easy, routine and rooted in everyday community life. Hayley Dodsworth, Projects Coordinator, Wetherby & District Foodbank said: “Rural communities benefit greatly from the foodbank service we offer and without the generosity of those who donate, we would be unable to fulfil this vital need. Whether through grocery items or financial contributions, it is only through ongoing local support that this essential service can be maintained benefiting over 1000 people locally in 2025.”

Shared Values, Shared Purpose

The partnership reflects the aligned values of both organisations:

• Supporting local people through hardship

• Building stronger communities through connection

• Encouraging sustainable giving through easier donation routes

The Organic Pantry has long championed ethical food production, sustainability and community wellbeing, making this partnership a natural extension of its mission. Together, both organisations believe that small, everyday actions can create meaningful change when multiplied across a community.

Freddie Watson, Managing Director, The Organic Pantry, said, “We’re delighted to partner with Wetherby & District Foodbank by creating a new stream of much-needed food supplies through donations from our customers. It’s a wonderful way for our community to come together, reduce food waste and ensure essential food reaches local people who need it most.”

How Customers Can Help

Organic Pantry customers are encouraged to donate unopened tinned and dry food and essential items such as:

• Tinned vegetables, soup, tomatoes, beans

• Pasta and rice

• Tea and coffee

• Long life milk

• Breakfast cereals

• Pasta sauces

• Tinned fruit and custard

• Toiletries and toothpaste

Every donation helps support local families and individuals experiencing financial hardship. A monthly Foodbank Wish List is advertised on the Wetherby and District Foodbank website and social media, as well as featured on the Organic Pantry website and social media channels for items in short supply, as well as included in every customer’s delivery box.

Launch event date: Sunday, 6th September, 2026:

Event: The Organic Pantry Open Farm Event

Address: St Helen's Farm, Rudgate, Newton Kyme, Tadcaster LS24.

Telephone: 01937 531693

On Sunday, 6th September, 2026 10am – 2pm The Organic Pantry will be hosting their annual event for the whole community with an Open Farm and lots of fun.

What’s on: BBQ, tractor rides, farm tours, stalls, Foodbank children’s activities & tombola.

Working Together for Better Communities

This initiative represents more than a food collection scheme, it is a model of connected thinking, demonstrating how local organisations can work together to create practical, sustainable support systems for those who need them most.

Wetherby & District Foodbank extends its thanks to The Organic Pantry and its customers for supporting this important initiative and helping to build a stronger, kinder and more connected community.

Want to Support the Partnership?

Organic Pantry customers can participate by simply adding a few extra cupboard essentials to their next order and leaving them ready for collection with their delivery box.