Wagamama has launched a new veganuary dish with a special partnership allowing one million meals to be donated to low income families.
Every January wagamama offers a new plant-based dish, with this year's choice being the vegan 'chicken' kare lomen - udon noodles served in a bowl of coconut broth with a chilli kick, and topped with vegan teriyaki 'chicken', coriander, beansprouts and cucumber.
The veganuary dish will be served up alongside a campaign of support initiatives to help nourish local communities across the country through a partnership with food charity The Bread and Butter Thing which supports thousands of families in over eighty locations.
READ MORE: DWP announces key cost of living payment dates starting in spring 2023
Set up in 2016, The Bread and Butter Thing brings low-cost food to low-income communities. Those in need of support pay a fraction of the cost for food, which is sourced direct from manufacturers and retailers.
The partnership with wagamama, which has restaurants in Newcastle and Gateshead, will involve projects in its restaurants and out in the community.
Overall, it will see the restaurant chain provide support for The Bread and Butter Thing to deliver one million meals worth of food to low income families who use the charity to receive a more affordable weekly shop, at a time when the nation needs it more than ever.
wagamama has already supplied food and bespoke recipes cards to The Bread And Butter Thing and the £25,000 wagamama donation will pay for forty one truck journeys with each able to carry 426 tonnes of food with each tonne equating to 2,380 meals, totalling just over a million meals.
Teaming up to champion The Bread and Butter Thing’s Warm Hub initiative, wagamama will also be providing warm and inclusive community spaces in selected restaurants - offering free sides to families facing difficult choices between heating and eating.
While its team members will be volunteering to support local projects and its chefs will provide ‘wok it, don’t waste it’ demos and advise on how to cook nourishing and affordable meals.
wagamama CEO, Thomas Heier, said: “At wagamama we believe in the Japanese philosophy of seijaku; finding calm and tranquillity in the midst of activity.
"In these challenging times it is important that we all continue to nourish ourselves and our communities.
"Typically, every veganuary we like to surprise and delight our guests with a plant-based showstopper, but we know this veganuary is a little bit different for families across the UK, so it is a privilege this year to support local communities through our newly launched partnership with The Bread and Butter Thing.”
The Bread and Butter Thing has distributed more than 1.3 million meals since launching in the North East two years ago, with a total of 32 hubs now open across the region.
Around 1,000 families access the hubs every week which offers members a bag of shopping for £7.50 worth a minimum of 335.
Mark Game, CEO of The Bread and Butter Thing said: “We’re delighted to be entering this new partnership with wagamama.
"Its philosophy of nourishment chimes exactly with The Bread and Butter Thing’s work to ensure that people in low income communities can access healthy, nutritious food for their families.
"By providing both food and funding to support the unseen but vital logistics that go into making The Bread and Butter Thing possible, wagamama will help us deliver over one million meals worth of food to our members who are making really difficult decisions between heating and eating, or even keeping a roof over their heads, in the toughest financial crisis of a generation.”
READ NEXT:
Six quick ways to save money on your energy bills next year, according to the Government
Martin Lewis fan gets cheque for nearly £3,000 in forgotten savings thanks to his advice
How to get help if you’re struggling with the cost of food - including voucher schemes
Woman hasn't turned heating on since February and cuts electricity bill to just £10 a month
Your rights explained if you want to return unwanted Christmas gifts
