Who We Are?

We help People access affordable food, reduce waste, and connect with one another

The Team

Taraji Ogunnubi – Founder, Strategic Lead, Consultant & Community Advocate

Taraji Ogunnubi is a community leader, strategic lead, youth advocate, consultant, and devoted mum committed to building a more just and sustainable future from the ground up.

The Banbury Larder was born from Taraji’s frontline work on the No Limits programme, where she supported young people and adults to overcome the barriers preventing them from entering employment. Through coaching, wellbeing support, and employability sessions, she witnessed a deeper truth: people weren’t lacking ambition — they were struggling because their basic needs weren’t being met. Food insecurity, rising living costs, and social isolation were directly blocking progress, confidence, and long-term stability.

Seeing that Banbury needed more than employment support alone, Taraji founded The Banbury Larder CIC as a community-driven response. What began as a practical way to remove barriers has grown into a holistic hub tackling food insecurity, loneliness, and unemployment through food support, wellbeing programmes, skills development, youth engagement, and community connection. Since launching, the Larder has supported hundreds of families while championing dignity, choice, and belonging.

Alongside leading the Larder, Taraji works as a Strategic Lead and Consultant, helping organisations strengthen programmes, build community capacity, and design impactful, people-centred solutions.

She also contributes to national policy as part of the CRG (Common Wealth research group, shaping a green paper focused on public investment, economic inclusion, and a fair transition to a green economy. Her blend of lived experience, grassroots insight, and strategic vision ensures underrepresented voices influence decisions at every level.

Purpose-driven, community-focused, and guided by both compassion and strategy, Taraji is committed to building a Banbury — and a future — where every family can thrive.

Cllr Fiaz Ahmed – Mayor of Banbury (2023–2024)

Cllr Fiaz Ahmed is a long-standing community leader in Banbury with over 25 years of voluntary service. Born in Kashmir and raised in Yorkshire, he settled in Banbury in the early 1990s, where he and his wife Akksa built their family and deep roots in the community.

Fiaz’s journey in community work began at the Sunrise Multicultural Project, a role he took on after gentle encouragement from his wife. What started as “helping for an hour” soon became a lifelong commitment to supporting families, young people, and vulnerable residents across Banbury.

His voluntary work has included:

• Supporting widows, orphans, and schools during charity missions in Kashmir

• Helping residents preparing for Hajj and Umrah

• Delivering food parcels to the elderly and vulnerable, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic

• Establishing a Warm Space in Boxhedge

• Founding a Scout Group

• Mentoring young people in schools and speaking about the Islamic faith

• Supporting international relief efforts with Action for Humanity

Fiaz and Akksa also set up the Park Road Food Bank during the pandemic and, after its closure, continued their commitment to food support by helping at The Banbury Larder, where they remain active volunteers.

Alongside his community work, Fiaz has run local businesses and continues to serve in public life as a Cherwell District Councillor, former Deputy Mayor (2022–2023), and Mayor of Banbury (2023–2024). He is also involved in interfaith and community cohesion initiatives, including the “Getting to Know You” group and the Banbury Interfaith Network.

Fiaz’s dedication and hands-on approach have earned him deep respect across Banbury, culminating in an invitation to Buckingham Palace’s Coronation Garden Party in recognition of his outstanding community service.

Adam Nell Bio

Adam Nell is a former lawyer and senior commercial adviser with extensive experience in construction and engineering contracts, complex projects, and dispute resolution across sectors including rail, marine, petrochemical and nuclear. He has held senior roles in the legal sector, including as a partner specialising in construction and engineering. Adam has also served in local government, including as Cherwell District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Finance (2021–2024). He supports The Banbury Larder as a Director, bringing strategic insight, governance experience, and a strong commitment to community impact.

Chris Smithson

Our Mission

We Tackle Food Poverty

The Banbury Larder was set up in April 2024 to help families, individuals, and the wider community access affordable food, reduce waste, and connect with one another.

It was originally created to support people back into employment. Our founder, Taraji, launched the Larder while running the No Limits programme, helping local people build skills, confidence, and find work. But as the need in Banbury grew, so did the Larder — becoming a place where people not only access affordable food but also feel supported in every area of life.

We are a community-led organisation, founded and run by people who live and work in Banbury. Our aim is simple: to make sure no one in our town goes hungry and to provide a safe, welcoming space for everyone.

At the heart of what we do is tackling food poverty and food waste. Each week, we collect surplus food that would otherwise go to waste and make it available to our members for a small subscription fee. This helps families save money while also reducing the amount of good food that ends up in landfill.

While we are independent and led locally, we work in partnership with SOFEA, who supply surplus food as part of their wider network supporting communities across the region. This partnership allows us to focus on what we do best — supporting Banbury families and helping them thrive.

Everything we do is possible thanks to the support of our volunteers, partners, and the generosity of local people.
We believe in a Banbury where everyone has enough, and no one is left behind.

But we are more than just a food larder. Over the past year, we’ve grown into a vibrant community hub, offering:

01.

— Affordable Food for Families

We provide weekly access to surplus food for a small subscription fee. This helps families stretch their budgets further, while tackling food waste by rescuing good food that would otherwise go to landfill.

02.

— Lunch Clubs

Once a month – First Wednesday of the month, we host lunch clubs where people can enjoy a hot, nutritious meal and good company. It’s a space to connect, combat loneliness, and build friendships over food. As well as learn how to cook healthy meals.

03.

— Job Support & Skills Building

From CV writing and interview prep to confidence building and training opportunities, we help people take their next steps into work. Our roots in the No Limits programme mean we understand the barriers people face and are here to walk alongside them.

04.

— Well-being Activities

We run a variety of well-being sessions — from mindfulness and creative workshops to men’s and women’s groups — supporting mental health, reducing isolation, and encouraging self-care.

05.

— A Place to Belong

Whether you’re here for food, friendship, or finding your footing again, the Larder is a space where everyone is welcome. We believe in working together to make Banbury a place where no one is left behind.

06.

— Life Skills for Young People

At The Banbury Larder we create not just safe spaces but brave spaces for young people to grow, speak openly and build confidence. During school holidays, we run engaging life skills sessions that explore real issues such as peer pressure, mental health, drugs and grooming. These sessions are honest, supportive and practical, helping young people develop resilience, make informed choices and feel empowered about their future.