People often ask us the difference between Random Café and the Foodbank. We’re fans of Watford Foodbank – we think the work they do to support our community is amazing – but we’re different from them in a number of ways:

1. Our food isn’t free. Random Café operates on a Pay As You Feel basis. We believe food is valuable and also that everyone should have access to food. We also have to cover our running costs. This is why we ask everyone who comes along to donate what they can for the food they take.

• Anyone can use Random Café. Unlike the Foodbank, you don’t need to be in receipt of benefits or be referred to us. Just turn up during one of our opening times and see what food we have on offer that day.

• We offer fresh produce. Because we make collections from supermarkets in Watford throughout the week, we’re able to offer fresh fruit, vegetables, bakery items and even flowers.

• We offer food that is past its best before date. The Foodbank is unable to offer any ‘out of date’ food. In fact, we sometimes collect food that the Foodbank can’t distribute in time. All of the food we offer is still perfectly edible. By offering it to our customers, we are preventing it from going to landfill.

• We are a (non-profit) Community Interest Company, not a charity. We don’t receive any government support through schemes such as Gift Aid and many traditional funding sources aren’t open to us. We have to cover all of our costs through Pay As You Feel donations and any additional fundraising we’re able to do.

With thanks to Watford Foodbank for their support of Random Cafe and for the incredible work they continue to do in our community.