A Cambridge volunteer hailed as a 'surplus superstar' for her pivotal role in diverting more than 20 tonnes of food from waste and creating thousands of free meals has received a prestigious regional award.
From Surplus to Sustenance: A Volunteer's Key Role
Lindi Holmes, a 50-year-old research nutritionist, has been named the East of England winner of the FoodCycle Regional Volunteer of the Year Awards 2025. As a lead volunteer for FoodCycle Cambridge, Lindi holds the crucial responsibility of sourcing and collecting surplus food from local shops, suppliers, charities, and networks.
This rescued food forms the basis for a weekly culinary challenge, where volunteers create nourishing three-course meals in a 'Ready Steady Cook' style. These meals are served every Saturday at 12:30 pm at St Andrew's Street Baptist Church, offering a warm and welcoming space for all.
Combating Hunger, Loneliness, and Waste
The national charity FoodCycle runs the project, which tackles three critical issues simultaneously: hunger, loneliness, and food waste. By bringing people from all walks of life together to share food and conversation, it strengthens community bonds.
The impact is substantial. Since the summer of 2021, the Cambridge project has served more than 8,500 meals and saved over 20 tonnes of food from being thrown away. Lindi herself has contributed more than 1,200 hours of volunteering over nine years.
Her fellow volunteers were quick to praise her, with one noting she "goes above and beyond" and another calling her a "witty team member with great management skills" who they "could always depend on."
Recognition for a Community Champion
Holly Wright, FoodCycle's Regional Manager for the East of England, described Lindi as "marvellously meticulous." She highlighted Lindi's detailed record-keeping and her success in building relationships with other charities to ensure fair food distribution across Cambridge.
"She is also a champion for sustainability and waste reduction," Holly added, "always encouraging the team to keep containers so that they can be re-used and refilled." This dedication also earned Lindi a 'FoodCycle Sustainability Hero' badge in spring 2025.
On receiving the award, Lindi said: "I have been volunteering at FoodCycle for so long I sometimes forget the great impact we have on our community. It is wonderful to be recognised for what has become an important part of my life."
Lindi first joined the charity in November 2016, seeking to help both the environment and her community. She emphasised that FoodCycle addresses interconnected issues: "It combines curbing food waste along with addressing... loneliness, and giving people a better diet. There are only positives!"
She passionately reframes the narrative around surplus, stating: "This is not waste food. It's food. The chefs are great, and the guests often say: 'Goodness, I can't believe you did this with that'. And it all goes to help people who really need it."
FoodCycle CEO Sophie Tebbetts congratulated Lindi and all the award winners, stating: "Our volunteers’ passion, generosity, and commitment make a real difference... We simply couldn’t do it without them." The awards are run in partnership with The Marsh Charitable Trust.
The community meals are open to everyone, from low-income families and individuals experiencing homelessness or loneliness, to those who simply wish to connect with their community. No questions are asked; guests can simply take a seat.
Volunteer roles at FoodCycle are inclusive and open to anyone aged 18 and over, with no minimum commitment. Roles range from food collection and cooking to hosting. Training is provided, and volunteers can find a niche that suits them.
FoodCycle Cambridge runs every Saturday at 12.30pm at St Andrew's Street Baptist Church, 43 St Andrew's Street, Cambridge, CB2 3AR.
