Swap a can of food for a free cocktail at this Manchester bar – and help tackle food poverty

Bring in a can of food and swap it for a free cocktail – sounds like a good deal, right?

And if you do that at The Alchemist’s Manchester branches on 13th October, you can enjoy your drink knowing that you’re also helping to tackle rising food poverty in the region.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen an increase in people relying on food banks across the country, with 100,000 households using them for the very first time over lockdown according to the Trussell Trust.

Food banks are expected to increase further in usage over Christmas. 

The Swap Shop initiative, which is now in its second year, will once again aim to raise awareness for rising national food poverty by encouraging guests to exchange a non-perishable food item in return for a cocktail.

Every guest donating a non-perishable food item on 13th October, for one day only, will receive a special colour changing cocktail.

All donations will then be taken to The Mustard Tree charity, based in Ancoats, ready to help those in need.

The Alchemist Spinningfields, New York Street and MediaCityUK branches will accept food items throughout the day, and will be respecting distancing measures by also offering a takeaway cocktail for those unable to enjoy in the venue.

The Alchemist has been partnered with Foodinate since May 2018 and provide hot and nourishing meals for those in need in local communities when guests order any menu items marked with the Foodinate fork logo.

To date they have provided 65,000 meals for the social enterprise.

Last year, the Swap Shop initiative saw over 3,000 donations collected – and this year, they’d like to get even more.

“We love the work carried out by Foodinate,” says Hannah Plumb from The Alchemist.

“It’s a truly fantastic initiative tackling food poverty across the country which is an issue we’re passionate about at The Alchemist.

“The Swap Shop is a fun and engaging way to encourage customers to donate to their local food banks, who need our support now more than ever.” 

Take your can of food to The Alchemist (Spinningfields, New York Street and MediaCityUK) on 13th October in exchange for a free cocktail. The Alchemist will only accept unopened and in date tinned, dried and packaged foods. Larger donations are of course welcome.