FAQs

About The Big Lunch

• What is The Big Lunch?

  The Big Lunch is a very simple idea from the Eden Project. The aim is to get as many of the 62 million people in the UK as possible to have lunch with their neighbours for a few hours of community, friendship and fun. Since The Big Lunch started in 2009, thousands of Big Lunches have taken place in all kinds of communities, with millions of people taking part each year.  A massive 8.5 million people are estimated to have taken part in last year’s Big Lunch on Sunday 3^rd June 2012. 

• What has The Big Lunch got to do with the Eden Project?

  The Eden Project started The Big Lunch because it believes that we are better equipped to tackle the challenges that we face when we face them together.

  The Big Lunch is led by the Eden Project, is funded by The Big Lottery Fund and supported by MasterCard, Asda and Kingsmill.

• What happened in 2012?

  The fourth annual Big Lunch took place on Sunday 3^rd June and was an enormous success.  A record breaking 8.5 million people took part - in Big Lunches or ‘Big Jubilee Lunches’ as this year the initiative formed part of the Diamond Jubilee programme of events announced by Buckingham Palace.   On top of the thousands of events that were held in the UK, Big Lunches also took place internationally – from Melbourne in Australia and Akure in Nigeria to Rio De Janiero in Brazil and Delhi in India.  Read more about The Big Lunch 2012.

• What is the date of The Big Lunch 2013?
  The fifth annual Big Lunch will be on Sunday 2nd June 2013
• When was the first Big Lunch held?

  The Eden Project started The Big Lunch in 2009.  From humble beginnings in year one, the number of participants has continued to grow each year, with the best part of 2 million people taking part in 2011, and a whopping 8.5 million getting involved in The Big Lunch 2012. 

• Should I tell you about my event?

  Yes! If you’re having a Big Lunch we want to know.  The majority of events take place on the first Sunday of June but you can hold your event whenever works best for your community.  The Big Lunch 2013 will take place on Sunday 2^nd June.

• Does it have to be a street party?
  Absolutely not. Many events in the first three years of The Big Lunch were little more than two or three homes getting together. Big Lunches have taken place in all sorts of locations from Fire Stations to local parks. For street party guidance download the form from the Department for Communities and Local Governement. We'd still love to hear about your event as part of the UK-wide movement!
  
• What materials can you give me?

  You can get a free postal or downloadable pack by signing up here or by calling 0845 850 8181. The pack includes lots of goodies like seeds, invites and posters.

• How can my school get involved?
  Children, parents and teachers, The Big Lunch needs you! Schools can either hold their own Big Lunches, or help their pupils get ready for a local Lunch; for example, by making decorations and food, or growing veg. There are lots of ideas in our schools and youth section.
  
• Can I fundraise for charity at my Big Lunch?
  Yes, of course! Let us know how much you raise and we can share it with Big Lunchers across the UK. Infact over 10% of Big Lunchers this year used their event to raise money for charity!
• We’re an organisation; can we take part in or support The Big Lunch?
  Yes you can! If you want advice on how you could partner with The Big Lunch, please email us on info@thebiglunch.com.

• Will there be a Big Lunch next year?

  The Big Lunch has been running since 2009 and will continue to be an annual event for the foreseeable future; in fact we’d love the Big Lunch to become part of the nation’s annual calendar – like a ‘Thanksgiving’ for neighbours!  The fifth annual Big Lunch will take place on Sunday 2^nd June 2013. 

• I live outside the UK, can I have a Big Lunch?
  Yes! In 2012 we loved carrying The Big Lunch forward internationally, with events in over 70 countries from Tuvalu to Canada, it was a huge success! Our funding only enables us to post packs to UK residents. You can download a pack by emailing international@thebiglunch.com and we always love hearing about international Big Lunches!

Planning your Lunch

• When should I start planning?
  Whenever you’re ready. It really depends on what you’ve got in mind. If you’re hoping to have a big do and close your street then it’s a good idea to get on to your local council as early as possible, as some councils require up to 12 weeks’ notice. It’s also good to spark up interest within the community with a couple of months to spare so that people have time to get involved in the planning and organising with you.
• What if there isn’t a Big Lunch planned in my area?
  Start your own! Perhaps find one ally on the street who wants to come door-knocking with you to see who else wants to get involved, or you could contact your local Neighbourhood/ Home Watch scheme and see if they are interested in helping to get your community together for a Big Lunch. Click here to find a scheme near you.
• Is there any funding available?
  You don’t need a lot of money to have a good time with your neighbours, but there are some grants or funds you can apply for. Why not take a look at our list of funds and grants available in 2013 and read our tips on how to have a Big Lunch on a budget. Try searching the internet for local funding opportunities. Remember that a lot of schemes will have early application deadlines and will require records of how the money was spent.
• How much will it cost?
  Big Lunches don't need to be expensive. You could simply hold one in a garden (avoiding any council/insurance fees), ask people to bring food, make your own decorations and borrow furniture.
  
  

  If you're up for a big bash, you could start a kitty with interested neighbours and set up a donations box on the day to recoup this cash, or even organise a raffle.

• Do I need insurance?
  Your council may ask you to pay fees for closing the street or request that you take out public liability insurance as you are closing public ground and are responsible for what happens. We are trying to persuade councils not to charge. But if you do need insurance then the following companies offer specific Street Party insurance. Event Insurance Services Street Parties.
  
  You can also join Your Square Mile, the UK's first Citizen's Mutual, for just £10 and get Free Public Liability Insurance and reduced Street Party Insurance for your Big Lunch.

   

• Are barbecues too risky from a health and safety point of view?
  Common sense applies. Set up your BBQ somewhere safe and have one chef in charge, not a free for all. It’s a good idea to have a first aider there on the day.
• I'm worried about food hygiene, do we need a licence?
  Organising small, private street parties and community events should be simple and things like risk assessments, licenses and health and safety certificates are not normally required. Everyone involved in a Big Lunch should take responsibility for themselves and those preparing food should make sure they do so in a clean and hygienic environment. If you are planning a larger event that anyone can attend, or if you are selling tickets to your event, then there may be other processes and requirements that you need to consider. Your local council will be able to advise
• Do I need to close my street?
  Not at all! You can hold your Lunch on any patch of land or any building will do, such as a communal, private or pub garden, local park, driveway, school playground, church, mosque, synagogue gurdwara or temple. If you do want to close your street you will need to get in touch with the highways department at your local council to find out how to go about it. It’s best to do this as early as possible as some councils require up to 12 weeks’ notice. If you have any problems with your council, email us on info@thebiglunch.com as we may be able to help.

• Who is going to clean up after the Lunch?
  Try to plan ahead to share the tidying up duties, and, wherever possible, recycle or reuse what’s left over. Check out Love Food Hate Waste for extra tips.
• What will we sit on and eat off?
  You could use your own stools, chairs, crates and trestle tables. If you need to buy some more seating and tables, try eBay, Freecycle or Freegle for cheap/free options. You could even join a local lend 'n' borrow group, such as Ecomodo, to share things you might need.
• I'm having trouble closing my road, can you help?

  If you are having problems closing your road don’t fret The Big Lunch team are also here to help you. Get in touch with info@thebiglunch.com.