Researchers studied a community kitchen program in England designed to help people waste less food while building stronger neighborhoods. They surveyed 33 people, watched 4 kitchen sessions, and interviewed 19 participants, volunteers, and staff members. While the program was created to tackle food waste, people actually came for the social benefits—making friends, feeling supported, and being part of a welcoming community. The study found that community kitchens are valuable, but mainly because they fight loneliness and isolation rather than because they reduce food waste. The researchers suggest refocusing these programs on their real strength: bringing isolated people together.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a community kitchen program in Leicestershire successfully reduced household food waste and what benefits people actually experienced from attending
  • Who participated: 33 survey respondents, 14 people interviewed who attended the kitchens, 3 volunteers who helped run them, and 2 council staff members who managed the program
  • Key finding: Community kitchens were popular and helpful, but not primarily because they reduced food waste. Instead, people valued them most for the chance to socialize, make friends, and feel part of a supportive community
  • What it means for you: If you’re lonely or isolated, community kitchens may be a great way to connect with others and improve your wellbeing. However, don’t expect them to be your main tool for reducing food waste—they work better as social gathering spaces

The Research Details

This study used a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and interviews to understand people’s experiences. Researchers gave a short survey to 33 people who attended the community kitchens, watched 4 actual kitchen sessions to see what happened, and had one-on-one conversations with 14 attendees, 3 volunteers, and 2 staff members. The survey asked simple questions, while the interviews let people explain their thoughts in detail. Researchers then looked for common themes in what people said.

The community kitchen program was originally created in Leicestershire with the goal of teaching people how to waste less food while building stronger communities. Researchers wanted to find out if the program was actually achieving this goal and what people thought about it.

Understanding why people actually use community kitchens—rather than just what the program was designed to do—helps organizations make better decisions about how to run them. If people come mainly for social connection, the program should be designed and promoted with that in mind. This approach is more honest and likely to help more people.

This study is relatively small (33 survey participants), so the findings may not apply everywhere. However, the researchers used multiple methods—surveys, observations, and interviews—which gives a fuller picture than just one approach. The study was published in a respected public health journal, suggesting it met quality standards. The main limitation is that it only looked at one community kitchen program in one area of England, so results might be different in other places or countries.

What the Results Show

The biggest finding was a mismatch between what the program was designed to do and what actually happened. The community kitchens were created primarily to help people reduce food waste, but this wasn’t why people attended. Instead, participants said they came to socialize, make friends, and feel part of a welcoming community.

People who attended the kitchens reported feeling less lonely and more connected to others. They appreciated the supportive, non-judgmental environment where they could cook together and share meals. Volunteers and staff also felt the program was valuable and worthwhile, even though it wasn’t achieving its original food-waste goal.

Interestingly, while food waste reduction wasn’t the main benefit, participants did learn cooking skills and gained confidence in the kitchen. They also appreciated having access to affordable food and the chance to eat well with others. However, these benefits seemed to be happy side effects rather than the main reason people kept coming back.

The research found that community kitchens created a safe, inclusive space where people felt accepted. This was especially important for socially isolated individuals who might not have other opportunities to connect with others. Participants mentioned feeling more confident and having better mental health after attending. The program also helped some people improve their cooking abilities and learn about nutrition, though this wasn’t a primary focus for most attendees.

Previous research has shown that community kitchens offer social and health benefits, and this study confirms those findings. However, this is one of the first studies to specifically look at whether community kitchens can reduce household food waste. The finding that food waste reduction isn’t the main benefit suggests that community kitchens might not be the best tool for that specific goal, but they’re excellent for fighting loneliness and improving wellbeing.

The study only included 33 people from one community kitchen program in England, so the results may not apply to other areas or countries. The researchers didn’t measure actual food waste reduction—they only asked people about it—so they couldn’t confirm whether the program actually reduced waste. The study also didn’t follow people over time to see if benefits lasted. Additionally, people who agreed to be interviewed might have been more positive about the program than those who didn’t participate in the study.

The Bottom Line

Community kitchens appear to be a good way to reduce loneliness and improve social connection (moderate confidence). If you’re socially isolated or looking to build community, attending a local community kitchen may benefit your mental health and wellbeing. However, don’t rely on community kitchens as your main strategy for reducing food waste—they’re better suited for social connection. If food waste reduction is your goal, combine kitchen attendance with other strategies like meal planning and proper food storage.

This research is most relevant for people who feel lonely or isolated and want to connect with others. It’s also important for community organizations, local governments, and public health officials who run or fund community kitchen programs. If you’re primarily interested in reducing household food waste, this study suggests you might need additional strategies beyond community kitchens. Older adults, people new to an area, and those with limited social connections may benefit most.

Social benefits like feeling less lonely and more connected may start appearing after just a few visits (weeks to months). However, building strong friendships and lasting community connections typically takes several months of regular attendance. Don’t expect immediate changes in food waste habits—that would require additional education and behavior change strategies.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your weekly social connection score (1-10 scale) and note which community activities you attended. Also track your mood and loneliness levels before and after attending community kitchen sessions to measure personal wellbeing benefits
  • Use the app to find and schedule visits to your local community kitchen. Set reminders for upcoming sessions and log your attendance. Share your experience and connect with other attendees through the app’s community feature to extend the social benefits beyond the kitchen itself
  • Monitor your social connection, mood, and sense of belonging monthly. Track attendance patterns to identify which sessions work best for you. Also note any cooking skills learned or recipes discovered, even though food waste reduction may not be the primary benefit

This research describes one community kitchen program’s experiences and may not apply to all programs or locations. Community kitchens appear beneficial for social connection and wellbeing, but this study was small and limited to one area. If you’re struggling with loneliness or mental health concerns, community kitchens may be helpful, but they should not replace professional mental health support if needed. Always consult with healthcare providers about your individual health needs. This summary is for educational purposes and not medical advice.