Open Kitchen MCR are working with food banks, community centres and support organisations to offer freshly made, healthy 'ready meals' to people on low incomes

Normally operating as a waste food catering social enterprise, Open Kitchen MCR, along with Manchester Council, began operating a new meals-on-wheels type service during Covid-19. This has helped to provide over 2,000 cooked meals every day for a variety of different people requiring a range of support or who are without cooking facilities.

The home-cooked style meals are nutritious, healthy and freshly made and are chilled, ready to re-heat at home.

Open Kitchen MCR are now expanding this service to also provide packed lunches for organisations who are supporting vulnerable communities.

The organisation has a 5 star food safety rating. It has also completed a Covid-secure working risk assessment, for all aspects of our working practice.

The menu often changes due to using food that is currently available. Therefore specific items from the menu cannot be ordered. However, customers can request the types of meals that they require, for example asking for meat dishes, stating foods which you do not like, or asking for vegetarian dishes. Open Kitchen MCR can also provide any food allergy or dietary requirements meals, for example, gluten-free meals or vegan meals. Please mention any allergies when ordering.

Unfortunately, Open Kitchen MCR are not able to offer Kosher meat options or Halal meat, however the vegetarian and vegan meals are Halal friendly.

An example of the types of 'ready meals' and packed lunches which are created is listed below:

Individual adult “ready-meal”

Approx 400g freshly prepared adult main meal. Packaged in a recyclable plastic, microwave & freezer safe container.

£1.00 per meal

Family “ready-meal”

Approx 1.4kg freshly prepared meal for family of 4. Packaged in metal oven and freezer safe tray with plastic coated cardboard lid. Larger family meals are available on request.

£3.75 per meal

Kids “ready-meal”

Approx 200g freshly prepared child’s main meal. Packaged in a recyclable plastic, microwave & freezer safe container. Chefs ensure that all children’s meals contain “hidden veg” to offer added nutrition, while creating meals that children will enjoy.

80p per meal

Kid’s packed lunch meal

A sandwich or wrap with fruit, and snack (crisps, chocolate or other snack bar) packed in a paper lunch bag.

£1.30 per meal

Healthy breakfast offer

Mixed fruit salad and freshly baked granola bakes or banana bread (low sugar, high fibre, lots of hidden fruit, seeds, etc). Family packs available.

£1 per adult

75p per child

Summer holiday family picnic bag

Sandwiches or wraps or pies, carb based salad (pasta, rice, potato etc), leafy / veg based salad or veg sticks (carrot, peppers, celery, etc), freshly made cakes or tray bakes (rocky road, banana & caramel cake, hidden veg cake).

£2.20 per adult

£1.10 per child

N.B. Fresh meals are delivered chilled and must be stored in the fridge. Meals are labelled with dietary info (meat, fish, veggie, vegan), allergens, use by date (3 days from collection), and safe microwave and oven reheating instructions. Chefs prepare up to 6 different dishes each day to offer great variety and choice.

Organisations are welcome to collect meals free of charge.

There is a £5 charge per delivery. Orders can be delivered to your local community centre or community drop off point but cannot be delivered to individual residents.

To enquire about the community meals offer you can contact Open Kitchen MCR by calling 07912509665 or emailing bookings@openkitchenmcr.co.uk

For more information on Open Kitchen MCR, visit their website here