Launched by Islington Council in collaboration with Manor Gardens Welfare Trust, Jean’s Café at the Jean Stokes Community Centre is tackling food waste while ensuring that everyone has access to nutritious food, regardless of their financial situation.
A new community-led café has opened its doors in the heart of the Cally neighbourhood, bringing residents together over affordable and sustainable meals. Launched by Islington Council in collaboration with Manor Gardens Welfare Trust, Jean’s Café at the Jean Stokes Community Centre is tackling food waste while ensuring that everyone has access to nutritious food, regardless of their financial situation.
Operating on a pay-what-you-feel basis, Jean’s Café serves meals prepared from surplus food donated by local businesses, supermarkets, and charities such as the Felix Project. To maintain its commitment to sustainability, the café receives its food supplies via environmentally friendly cargo bikes in partnership with OurBike, reducing emissions and promoting a greener community.
Jean’s Café opens every Friday, offering freshly prepared meals from 1pm. In addition to serving food, it provides a space for learning and engagement. From 11am, visitors can participate in weekly cooking sessions led by a skilled local chef, where they learn to prepare healthy meals, develop cooking skills, and find ways to reduce food waste at home.
The café is more than just a place to eat; it is a hub for community involvement. Residents are encouraged to volunteer in various roles, including as café hosts or as part of the team collecting and delivering surplus food. By fostering a spirit of cooperation, Jean’s Café is strengthening the local community while addressing food insecurity in a practical and meaningful way.
Caledonian Ward Councillors Paul Convery, Sara Hyde, and Una O’Halloran praised the initiative, emphasising its significance in bringing people together and providing much-needed support. “Jean’s Café is a fantastic example of community spirit in action. The café, like the centre itself, is named in memory of Jean Stokes, one of the Cally’s first community champions who dedicated herself to improving the neighbourhood.
“Despite the challenges faced by working-class communities, the people of Cally have always had a strong tradition of supporting one another. This café not only provides delicious, homemade meals but also fosters a welcoming space where residents can connect, share a meal, and strengthen community ties,” they said.
Vaida Filmanaviciute, the Community Chef at Jean’s Café, highlighted the importance of making the most of surplus food. “It’s crucial to remember that only the ingredients are surplus. All meals at Jean’s Café are prepared from scratch on the day, ensuring freshness and nutritional value. Food doesn’t come with a built-in expiry date, and as a society, we need to relearn how to identify good-to-use produce. Cooking and eating together builds connections, and I feel incredibly privileged to share my culinary skills with the Cally community.”
Residents and local businesses are encouraged to support Jean’s Café and the broader Cally Community Food project. For more details, visit islingtonlife.london/CallyFoodProject.
The initiative is supported by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and developed in response to the We Are Cally plan, which called for more sustainable and accessible food options. Additionally, funding from the GLA’s Future Neighbourhoods Programme and partnerships with ReLondon and the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance have helped integrate circular food systems in Cally, reinforcing Islington Council’s commitment to a greener and more equitable future.
