Since being founded by NHS dietician Hannah Style in 2015, FEAST With Us has been supporting vulnerable people experiencing food poverty across North London by providing regular access to nutritious meals, plus food education and cooking skills.
Since the pandemic, the need for the charity’s services has grown exponentially – and now, Caroline Monkhouse Flower, who served as Chair of the FEAST With Us Board for six months, has been appointed as the charity’s first CEO.
The CEO role was introduced to support the charity as it expands to include services such as a new healthy-eating education programme.
Previously COO for nutrition and food technology company Kafoodle, Caroline was appointed following an external recruitment process. Her long-held passion for food and nutrition includes over 15 years’ experience working in a variety of roles connected with food and nutrition.
Caroline says: “I’m hugely passionate about FEAST’s mission to tackle food poverty and improve the nutrition and health of the most vulnerable people in society, and it’s a privilege to build on the amazing work that Hannah, the team and volunteers have achieved so far.
“We have ambitious plans to expand our projects and services this year, including new community meal locations, conducting nutritional research, and launching a healthy eating on a budget education programme. Sadly, there’s an increasing need for food poverty support, and we want to lead the way in identifying, delivering and co-ordinating meaningful and sustainable interventions with our partners.”
Alongside Caroline’s appointment, FEAST With Us is delighted to announce that Helen Burgess has been appointed Chair of the Board. Having spent the first 10 years of her career in senior policy and strategy roles in central government, with a focus on homelessness and supporting socially excluded people, Helen brings a wealth of valuable knowledge and experience to the board.
After leaving the government and retraining as a registered nutritionist, Helen set up the social-impact business Little Cooks Co, teaching children to cook to help address the problem of childhood obesity.
Helen says: “I feel honoured to be taking on this important role for such a fantastic charity. I think what FEAST is achieving is remarkable, and I can’t wait to help support their expanding impact and influence. FEAST has created a model that brings people and the community together, empowers people with new skills and confidence, nourishes those who need it most, and helps tackle food waste at the same time. It is utterly brilliant.”
Hannah Style, founder and trustee of FEAST With Us, says: “In the battle against food poverty, charities are constantly adapting to the changing climate and conditions with increasingly limited resources. Encouragingly, we’re seeing more partnerships form to build communities that can progress up the food ladder, helping people move towards nutritional independence and food security.
“Within FEAST, it is humbling and heartening to be working with expert service users, and a proficient team of volunteers, staff and trustees. Thanks to the outstanding individuals who are proactively involved in the FEAST community, we’re at the helm of the food-poverty sector in Camden today. As the founder of what started as a grassroots initiative, it is an honour to be part of the cause.”
