THE new Max's Meal initiative, in Cowdenbeath, aims to reduce food inequality and 'isolation' in the town and surrounding area.

On Thursday November 28 the Maxwell Centre, in Stenhouse Street, held its first Max’s Mea, which is the name of the new free lunch club being held in the Centre.

The project will operate on the last Thursday of each month, from noon until 1:30 pm, apart from December when the Centre will be closed for Christmas.

The project is aimed at reducing food inequality and social isolation in the Cowdenbeath area and is supported by Fife Council Communities and Neighbourhoods, the Fife Health & Social Care Partnership, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Fareshare, and Co-op Food Share, and is staffed by local volunteers.

Community Education Worker, Mike Payne, said “Food poverty is a huge issue in the Cowdenbeath area, and we have two foodbanks operating in the area and the number of venues offering free lunches is increasing.

"However, this is not the only issue facing the community, social isolation is another factor in the life of many residents. "We have many people in the area who go for days without seeing or speaking to anyone and that is why Max’s Meal will also welcome anyone who wants to drop in and have a chat, and a spot of lunch.”

The Centre has teamed up with the Co-op Food Share Team and will receive surplus food from the Co-op shop in Dalbeath Crescent and from Fareshare. This will then be used to make lunch with any surplus being offered to users.

During school holidays the centre plays host to Café Inc, the Fife Council project that offers hot and cold lunches to local children, and this will not be affected by the Max’s Meal and is seen by the staff and volunteers as complimenting the good work done by Café Inc.

Mike continued, “The staff at the centre have gained a lot of experience from working at Café Inc during school holidays and will now transfer this to deliver Max’s Meal.

"We look forward to seeing anyone from the Cowdenbeath area who needs company, lunch or both.”

The next Max’s Meal will be held on January 30 2020, the last Thursday of the month, between noon and 1:30pm.

Lo'gelly Lunches was set up in Lochgelly's Salvation Army Hall earlier this year and has gone from strength to strength.