Edinburgh police box to serve up porridge with a difference

Scottish charity Mary’s Meals have teamed up with new foodie business The Porridge Box to feed locals and alleviate hunger across the world.

Published 3rd May 2016
Updated 9 th Aug 2023

The innovative start-up is the brainchild of former video editor Jas Scott-Moncrieff, 51, who wanted to create a business with an ethical foundation.

As well as serving bespoke eat-on-the-go porridges, The Porridge Box will be donating profits generated from their sales to Mary’s Meals, a charity which feeds over one million children every day in the developing world.

The company’s first home will be the Old Police Box outside the Tron Kirk, Hunter Square and will be open between 7am and 1pm every day.

Shelagh McGhee and owner Jas Scott-Moncrieff. Picture: Contributed

Shelagh McGhee and owner Jas Scott-Moncrieff. Picture: Contributed

In its first year, the Porridge Box is committed to feeding at least one hundred children every day.

Shelagh McGhee, Edinburgh representative of Mary’s Meals said: “Every day, Mary’s Meals feeds more than a million of the world’s poorest children in a place of education. It doesn’t advertise and relies on word of mouth.

“We are so grateful for the support of the Porridge Box which has an ethical and environmental approach,” she said.

Customers can buy ready-to-eat portions in three sizes, costing between £1 and £5, served in a recyclable carton with a biodegradable starch spoon.

Members of the public enjoy a taste of the porridge box. Picture: Contributed

Members of the public enjoy a taste of the porridge box. Picture: Contributed

Recipes combine pinhead oats, oat bran, oat flour and oat flakes to create gluten free products. The oats can then be flavoured with a selection of nutritious extras including Brazil nut or sunflower seed butter.

Scott-Moncrieff already has plans to expand his porridge empire and eventually operate from other concessions and open its own premises.

He said:  “The recipe I’ve developed provides for the greatest nutrition and flavour – a real power food that is both traditional, but introducing optional flavours and other nutritional ingredients for the 21st century.

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“Importantly, I also wanted the Porridge Box to have social responsibility and clear ethical and environmental values. More than anything, by creating porridge as Scottish street food, I hope people enjoy it!” he said.

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