Burgess Hill food catering business steps up to ensure vulnerable people are fed during coronavirus pandemic

This week, as part of our #supportlocal campaign, we are shining the light on Munchies in Valebridge Road, which this year is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

The business was forced to shut for six months due to the coronavirus pandemic, but since reopening its owner, Karen Watling, has made helping others a priority.

Last month, she offered free packed lunches to schoolchildren after the Conservative Government voted against Marcus Rashford’s campaign to extend free school meals (FSM) over the holidays to stop children going hungry.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has since u-turned on his decision.

And now, Karen is delivering hot meals to the elderly.

She said: “I would hate to think of anyone not being able to have a hot meal a day just because they can’t get out.

“During half term we supplied families with free packed lunches.

“We have also launched our Sunday roast dinners and puddings and are getting some lovely comments on Facebook.”

Munchies was set up by Karen in 1990. It initially opened as a sandwich bar, but Karen had bigger plans – turning it into a full catering service for weddings, children’s parties and a hot food delivery service.

Karen said: “We had lots of happy days in our little kiosk shop in Church Road, then ten years ago we outgrew this and moved to our current shop in Valebridge Road.

“We were able to set up our little café, as well as offer takeaway breakfasts and sandwiches and cater for various functions and businesses.

“We also offer afternoon tea and deli boards – and in the past we have supplied hampers for days out. One of our best sellers are our homemade rock cakes and scotch eggs. We make over 200 rock cakes a week and offer five different flavoured scotch eggs. We are working on a Christmas flavour scotch egg at the moment.”

When Karen is not baking, she is organising the Worlds End Duck Fair which she brought back to the community last year after 12 years.

Thousands of people went along and the event raised more than £5,000 for St Peter & St James Hospice. Sadly, this year, the event had to be cancelled due Covid-19.

To find out more about Munchies or to place an order for food, call 01444 235015. It is open from 12-3pm.