KCCF visits Sustenance and sees first-hand the power of community food support.

KCCF's Executive Director, Nikki Jeffery, recently visited Sustenance in Hastings to see first-hand the impact of the charity's work tackling food insecurity, reducing food waste and bringing people together through food.

Founded in 2024, Sustenance is a registered charity supporting hundreds of people in Hastings, one of the country’s most deprived local authorities. Through weekly food provision and shared community meals, the charity is helping people access nutritious food while creating opportunities for connection and friendship.

With a dedicated team of 27 volunteers, Sustenance collects surplus food from local retailers and food partners, including food redistributed through The Felix Project and Neighbourly.

During the visit, Nikki met volunteers, spoke with guests and witnessed the scale and warmth of the charity’s community lunch at Concordia Hall in St Leonards. On the day, volunteers prepared and served lunch to 65 guests while coordinating the distribution of food parcels, demonstrating the dedication and care that underpin Sustenance’s work.

KCCF is pleased to be supporting Sustenance’s work through an award from the Coronation Food Project grants programme. For Nikki, the visit highlighted that Sustenance’s impact extends far beyond food provision:

“Food brings people together, and that was evident throughout the visit. While the meals and food parcels are vital, so too are the friendships, conversations and sense of belonging being created. Sustenance is building a stronger, healthier and more resilient community, and we are proud to support its continued growth through the Coronation Food Project.”

To learn more about Sustenance and how you can support its work, visit Sustenance