Diamond Hampers
2271. Lianne Simpson
Lianne Simpson, from Huntingdon, has redirected over £700,000 worth of food waste through her ‘Diamond Hampers’ scheme, which provides sustainable support to vulnerable members of the community.
Organising over 125 collections every week, Lianne collects food from local supermarkets that would have otherwise gone to waste. Lianne, who is supported by a team of volunteers, redistributes collected food to the local community through food hampers as well as through her shop, ‘The Pantry’. Since the initiative started in 2020, Lianne has provided over 500,000 meals through food hampers and over 1 million meals through ‘The Pantry’ and has redirected over 25 tons of food waste from supermarkets every month.
Through ‘Diamond Hampers’, Lianne is providing sustainable support to help members of her local community. Working with the local council and local support services, Lianne provides a ‘moving on box’, filled with household essentials, to support a number of people within the community including care leavers and domestic violence sufferers. Lianne is helping to support people struggling with their mental health by making referrals to professional support services and creating a fishing team to encourage more people to get outside.
In a personal letter to Lianne, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:
“Through Diamond Hampers, you are redirecting a staggering 25 tonnes of supermarket food waste every month, organising over 125 collections every week of food that could otherwise have gone to landfill.
“I understand you have also expanded the project to provide ‘moving on boxes’, which are supporting care leavers and people who have experienced domestic violence. And you have just acquired land to make a community allotment which will engage even more people in growing food and in sustainability.”
Lianne said:
“What a complete and utter surprise and incredible honour. I honestly give all of me to as many as I can and my priority is ensuring people develop better and more sustainable lives. I am so grateful to have been chosen for this award.
“I could not do all of this without my incredible team behind me. They truly are the most amazing people.”
Find out more about ‘Diamond Hampers’