A group in Brisbane is turning food thrown out by supermarkets into home-cooked meals which they serve to the lonely, isolated and some who are just plain hungry.

The young men and women gather each Friday in a West End park; they do not have a permit to be there, nor do they believe in asking for one.

They are part of Food Not Bombs, a global movement to reclaim public space and protest against rampant food wastage.

Andy Paine and his friends have been dumpster diving once a week for the past six years.

They hit just one bin, fishing out enough fresh food to feed 30 to 40 people — bags of zucchinis, potatoes, loaves of bread, as well as packaged bananas and donuts.

There are also unopened soft drinks, dumped by the supermarket after one in the pack of four broke.

The usable food is washed off, the damaged turned into sauces, and the too-far-gone composted.

"It is an incredible amount of waste, but it will help us provide food for other people."

Bags of zucchinis and potatoes were saved from the dumpster, as well as unopened soft drinks and cakes. ( ABC Radio Brisbane: Kym Agius )

They head to a community house to cook, turning the haul into vegan and vegetarian dinners.

"We are not just about reducing food waste," Mr Paine said.

"Food waste is also just eating in front of the TV and not thinking about the potential.

"Not thinking about what we could be doing with our food, what communities we could be building, how we could be reaching out to people, how we could be using the streets.

After half an hour sifting through the dumpster, the group has enough food for up to 40 people. ( ABC Radio Brisbane: Kym Agius )

"That is what Food Not Bombs is about; it is about envisioning a different world and a different way of eating."

Forming lasting friendships through food

As part of their weekly ritual, the barefooted group walk their long wooden serving table from the community house to a park on Boundary Street.

The table, laden with food, is carried a short distance from the community house to the park. ( ABC Radio Brisbane: Kym Agius )

Atop the table last week was carrot soup, mash potato with saffron, a mushroom, eggplant and ginger stir-fry, apple crumble and a fruit salad.

They had also made a carrot cake for one of the regulars celebrating a birthday — Paul, who is deaf.

The food rescued from supermarket dumpsters is turned into vegan and vegetarian meals. ( ABC Radio Brisbane: Kym Agius )

"He lives in the area and lives a fairly isolated life," Mr Paine said.

"He has been a real blessing, he has taught us sign language.

"We have made a long-lasting friendship.

"If he doesn't turn up I'll send a text to make sure he's alright."

Paul did not want to be interviewed nor photographed, but those there could see the delight on his face.

The group circled around him to sign "happy birthday" as he blew out his candles.

Sandon and Brendon met through Food Not Bombs and now go to the cinema and on runs together. ( ABC Radio Brisbane: Kym Agius )

Brendon Donohue has been a regular at the Food Not Bombs event over the past year-and-a-half.

He is blind.

"I was looking for more social interaction," he said.

"As a blind person it is very hard to get out into the community and go to social places which accept all diverse people.

"Everyone is included here, regardless of disability.

"It gives me a sense of belonging in the community."

William Hunter, who has had mental health problems, has been coming most Fridays since July 2014.

"I was a bit involved with petty crime and stuff and I was a bit mentally unwell because of drugs.

"I'm a lot better now but I get a bit lonely sometimes, so I come here and talk to my mates.

"They're good people, they're kind and you can have a good conversation.

"I'm on the pension and it helps, it's a free feed."

Mike, originally from Sudan, comes some Friday nights to meet new people. ( ABC Radio Brisbane: Kym Agius )

Mr Paine said they wanted to create an environment where you could make friends and meet new people every week.

"We welcome strangers and use food as a resource for building community — using food beyond just fuelling our bodies."