This August, something special is on the menu at Canteen, Frome Food Network’s renowned pay-what-you-can community restaurant is going alfresco. Expect a delicious potato salad, made with potatoes grown by more than a hundred local Frome families, will be served alongside grilled sausages, fresh dips, vibrant salads—and of course, a tasty dessert.
The August Canteen will take place on the 15th in Victoria Park, a first for the restaurant instead of their usual haunt of Trinity Hall. This pop-up event is a true collaboration between Victoria Park Community Cafe, The Community Fridge, Frome Town Council, and Frome Seed Library, led by Kerry Meech. Kerry brought together families, schools, businesses, and care homes to grow potatoes and herbs from seed, creating a beautiful connection from garden to plate.
This seed-to-plate project is supported by Citizen Advice Somerset’s Food Resilience grant, designed to strengthen food security and resilience across Somerset. HUBBUB also lends its support to this brilliant community effort.
Over the past ten months, Canteen has welcomed diners five times at Trinity Hall, with wonderful feedback celebrating the fresh, local food and the warm, inclusive atmosphere. Moving outdoors this August aims to invite even more neighbours from across the town to share in the experience, and the community spirit.
True to its ethos, Canteen’s chefs will work closely with Frome’s Community Fridge to rescue surplus food, including produce from Broadway Community Gardens, ensuring good food doesn’t go to waste. Any leftover meals are boxed up and returned to The Fridge for others to enjoy.
Canteen was founded by Frome Food Network with the support of Edventure’s Future Shed and Green & Healthy Frome. Its mission is simple but powerful: to widen access to responsibly sourced, lovingly cooked food, and to bring local people closer to the food they eat. It’s affordable, nourishing, and good for us all.
The pay-what-you-can model means everyone can join the table, whether you pay more, less, or nothing at all, you are warmly welcomed. No reservations are needed; just come between 5pm and 7pm or until the food runs out.
Hugh Thomas, Frome Food Network Founder and Canteen co-organiser, reflects:
“This collaboration between five fantastic Frome organisations helps people reconnect with food—where it comes from, who’s growing it, and how we can waste less. It’s about more than just food; it’s about breaking bread together and strengthening community.”
Frome Seed Library founder Kerry Meech adds:
“With the growing disconnect between people and food, this project bridges that gap from seed to plate. A survey found almost a third of UK primary pupils think cheese comes from plants! We’re also offering seed saving workshops so this collaboration leaves a lasting legacy—open-pollinated seeds that will be freely available from the Seed Library.”
Join us in Victoria Park this August for good food, good company, and a celebration of Frome’s thriving local growing community.