A Bite Full of Second Bite

Second Bite Community Interest Company (CIC) is a social enterprise with social value at its core, accompanied by its inspiring motto ‘Great food that changes lives’.

Second Bite runs numerous hospitality premises across the North East, such as the Second Bite Bistro, Whitley Bay Pizza Company, and Second Bite at Novocastrians, which is their community and academy base in Benton. 

The Second Bite Hospitality Academy supports small numbers of trainees who have experienced barriers getting into work in a variety of roles. These trainees receive dedicated training for 4-6 weeks to prepare them for a placement in one of Second Bite’s venues. They are then provided with further support for gaining employment. Jenny, the Community Connector and Training Lead, said, “we have a fantastic record of employing our trainees, helping them get jobs in hospitality with other employers and supporting community and voluntary groups.”

Since the first Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020, Second Bite has been receiving weekly surplus food deliveries from FareShare North East, as well as gaining support from Whitley Bay Round Table. Second Bite uses their deliveries in a number of ways, such as on the menu at the Bistro, directly into community meals provision, food parcels (distributed by Support and Grow), and ingredients for the Hospitality Academy which are used to make community meals.

“We are committed to reducing food waste and food poverty, and use our FareShare North East delivery, and other food donations to our premises, to support those in our local communities that need food assistance.”

As Christmas is around the corner, Second Bite is now preparing to increase the number of Christmas meals provided to vulnerable people from 120 to 160! Second Bite wants to make sure that those they support get a very special Christmas without having to go into debt or worry more than they will already be about making it to the end of January. This year they will work with Support and Grow North East and Whitley Bay Big Local to distribute three-course meals either on Christmas Day or a couple of days beforehand. This food assistance will be a combination of family-style meals and meals for individuals.

The benefits to the people that Second Bite supports are all very different. It can be gaining employment, improving mental and physical health and well-being, reducing anxiety about getting food for their families, or support in crisis that can help to prevent debt. They also support those recently discharged from the hospital, those needing short-term support due to carer illness/isolation, or food support after recent bereavement, for example.

Covid-19 has created long-lasting economic hardships, especially within areas in the North East that were already deprived, and because of this, Second Bite’s work is needed now more than ever.

“The support we get from FareShare North East is integral to the work we do, as are the donations and pledges we receive”

If you want to find out more about Second Bite and support their vital work, visit their website.