From a single van serving one community to a national charity supporting more than 100,000 households, The Bread and Butter Thing is celebrating its 10th anniversary with communities across Maidstone.

From a single van serving one community to a national charity supporting more than 100,000 households, The Bread and Butter Thing is celebrating its 10th anniversary with communities across Maidstone.

Over the past decade, the organisation has expanded into more than 160 communities across England and helped unlock the equivalent of 70 million meals, becoming a trusted part of community life for families across the country.

Maidstone was the charity's first operational base in the South East and remains at the heart of its regional success, with hubs in Blackthorn Trust, Park Wood, Shepway and Trinity helping residents access affordable food while strengthening local communities and reducing food waste.

This week, the borough's four Bread and Butter Thing hubs will mark the milestone with volunteers, members and community partners coming together to celebrate and reflect on a decade of supporting local families.

Supported by Maidstone Borough Council, the charity is creating a long-term and sustainable model focused on food security, access to affordable food, healthier eating and community resilience, while helping people make their food budgets go further and encouraging confidence in preparing and cooking healthy meals at home.

The council has also produced a Community Cookbook, featuring recipes inspired by ingredients commonly available through the food hubs. The cookbook is designed to help residents make the most of the food they receive and encourage creative meal preparation. Due to high demand, a new order of the cookbooks is being printed and will be available at all food hubs in the near future.

There are no joining criteria or means testing for the service or contract. This means anyone can use it for as long or as little as they need. The membership is free and members can access up to three bags of shopping containing a mix of fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled items and cupboard staples for £8.50, with smaller and larger options also available.

Cllr David Naghi at The Bread and Butter Thing - Blackthorn Trust

Councillor David Naghi, Maidstone Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Safety, said: "This partnership helps residents access affordable, healthy food while strengthening community connections. I’m pleased to see that large supermarkets are working with our partners to make an active effort in reducing food waste. I encourage anyone interested in joining a local hub to find out more about the service available in Maidstone."

Vic Harper, Chief Executive of The Bread and Butter Thing, said: "Every hub has its own story, but together they've created something extraordinary. Over the past ten years we've unlocked the equivalent of 70 million meals, we've never moved out of a community and we've never missed a delivery. Those milestones matter because they represent something bigger, people knowing they can rely on us, week after week. That's only possible because of the incredible members, volunteers and partners who make the Maidstone hubs such an important part of their community."

While access to affordable food and reducing waste remains at the heart of the service, many members say the weekly collections provide much more than groceries. Hubs have become welcoming community spaces where people can meet neighbours, share recipes, volunteer and access wider support.

A local resident and subscriber to the service spoke about their experience, saying: "The Bread and Butter Thing is amazing. Every week there is a delicious selection of food. The staff are lovely. The kids eat well and when I bring home the food they always gather round."

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