Curry Rivel, Drayton and Hambridge Foodbank

* Ed has to admit that she's only just discovered you can freeze some cheeses. So just in case anyone else is as clueless in the kitchen as she is, here's a quick guide.

What cheese can you freeze?

Hard or semi-hard cheeses respond well to freezing – so that's things like Cheddar, Gouda, Emmental and Parmesan for example.

Creamier cheeses such as Brie, cream cheese and Camembert should be avoided. They have a higher water content, which means they are likely to be affected by ice-crystals forming in the freezing process.

How do I freeze cheese?

The best way to is to grate or cut hard or semi-hard cheese into smaller cubes. If freezing a block it will have lost its natural texture on defrosting and will be rather crumbly.
Highly flavoured or aromatic foods can transfer their smell to other items, so wrap your cheese in foil and put into an additional freezer-proof sealable bag.

How long will it keep?

Up to three months.

How can I use it?

Up to you! It won't be the best cheese to serve your guests as a cheeseboard, but freezing is great to prevent excess cheese going to waste. And it's always handy to have a little supply at the ready to use in cooking – cheese sauces, pizza topping, shepherds pie – any dish that calls for cooked/grilled cheese.

And don't forget, your donations of a non-perishable nature can be taken to St Andrew's Church in Curry Rivel and left in the North Chapel at the front of the church to the left hand side at any time. There is also a box in the porch of St Catherine's church in Drayton, again for non-perishable items.

There will be volunteers present on Wednesdays between 10.30 and 11.30 at St Andrew's to take any donations, perishable or not.

And whether you want to help or need help, the number to call for more information is 01458 250997 or 07714 265384