Food in Community is a UK-based social enterprise that has been operating for over a decade, focusing on tackling food waste and food poverty. The organization's core mission is to create a more resilient and equitable food system by rescuing surplus, perfectly edible fruit and vegetables and redistributing them to charities, community groups, and households in need. Based in and around Totnes, Devon, it acts as a central hub, fostering a network of growers, volunteers, and community partners to ensure no good food goes to waste.
The Mission: From Farm to Table, Sustainably
Food in Community's work is guided by the principle that access to healthy, fresh food is a right, not a privilege. They work directly with local farmers, market gardeners, and orchard owners to "glean"—or collect—surplus produce that would otherwise be plowed back into the land or composted due to cosmetic imperfections, overproduction, or market fluctuations.
Building Community using Surplus Food - Chantelle Norton, Food in Community
Their team of volunteers, who are fully insured and well-briefed, handle the collection and sorting of this produce. This unique approach not only reduces food waste but also supports local, sustainable agriculture. The food they collect is often fresher and more nutritious than what is available in a typical supermarket, providing high-quality ingredients to people who need them most.
Key Programs and Services
The organization's impact is delivered through a range of innovative and community-focused programs.
- Surplus Food Redistribution: At its heart, Food in Community is a food redistribution hub. They sort and pack the gleaned produce into "solidarity boxes" that are discreetly delivered to vulnerable families and individuals. This service ensures that food reaches those in crisis, including people who are homeless, care leavers, refugees, and those experiencing domestic abuse. The organization has delivered tens of thousands of these food boxes and saved millions of meals from being wasted.
- Community Meals and Events: Food in Community pioneered the "pay what you feel" dining format in the UK. These long-running community lunches and events bring people together in a safe space to share a hot, nutritious meal. These gatherings are about more than just food; they are about building connections, reducing loneliness, and providing a platform for community dialogue.
- Workshops and Education: They run workshops and demonstrations focused on cooking and nutrition. Testimonials from primary school kitchen managers and mental health charity workers highlight how these programs have been instrumental in helping people gain confidence and learn how to cook with a wide variety of fresh, healthy ingredients they might not otherwise be able to afford.
- Community Growing: Beyond rescuing food, the organization also supports community growing initiatives, reconnecting people with food production and nature.
