Alchemic Kitchen, a start-up social enterprise from the charity Feedback, and other partners have been serving delicious homemade soup for veterans living at Launchpad’s Speke House in Liverpool.
Like most businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Merseyside-based project has had to adapt its business model and is supporting local communities twice a week to deliver fresh soups and bread rolls to local charities.
Alchemic Kitchen is renowned for creating preserves from locally-sourced food that would otherwise be wasted. They rescue the food from local farms or markets and use it to make unusual and delicious treats and feasts. They also work with local people to enhance their skills and connect communities to the value of good food.
The delivery, every Wednesday, is a welcome relief for some of the veteran residents living at Speke House who have had to adapt to the way they live due to the current lockdown restrictions. Most residents are self-isolating and all communal areas are closed.
Launchpad provides accommodation and support to help veterans stabilise their lives and make a successful transition from military to civilian life. Speke House accommodates 48 residents in self-contained flats.
Sam Jackson, Manager of Launchpad’s Speke House, said:
“It is a wonderful gesture for Alchemic Kitchen to deliver soup and bread rolls to our residents. It means a lot to them to have freshly made food cooked and delivered to them ensuring they are getting at least one good meal every Wednesday.
“We have a good partnership with Alchemic Kitchen and last year, our residents were invited to a local farm in Scarisbrick where they picked kale and vegetables and cooked outdoors. On behalf of all residents, we are very grateful to Alchemic Kitchen and their suppliers for helping our veterans, especially during this difficult time.”
Lucy Antal, Project Manager for Alchemic Kitchen, said:
“Due to the current climate, we have had to change the way we operate. As signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant, we are delighted to be supporting local charities such as Launchpad to deliver fresh soups. These have been made using surplus and rescued vegetables from local farms and Hurst Brothers at the Liverpool Wholesale Food Market, with the addition of pulses from Hodmedods to up the nutritional content.
“We are also working in partnership with Homebaked Anfield, who are supplying a fresh bread roll with each portion, and we are being supported by donations made by Toast Ale.”
Michael, a veteran resident at Speke House, said:
“I love the soup deliveries every Wednesday. It’s nice to be thought of and that Alchemic Kitchen are willing to go out their way during this strange and difficult time.
“They are delicious, lovely homemade and hearty fulfilling soups, all very healthy and full of goodness and taste great. We really appreciate this and a big thank you to Lucy and the team.”
