Gleaning Cornwall donates £1m of produce to food banks amid rising costs
UKPulse Consumer Desk
Gleaning Cornwall has saved £1m worth of fruit and vegetables, donating them to food banks across the South West, but warns that more funding is needed due to sharply rising costs.
- Gleaning Cornwall has repurposed over 460 tonnes of produce since 2020.
- The group supports 160 food banks, community larders, and kitchens.
- The number of known food aid settings in Cornwall has increased from 20 to 180 since 2015.
Gleaning Cornwall, a volunteer-led group, has donated £1m worth of fruit and vegetables that would otherwise have been left in fields to food banks. The organisation collects unwanted produce from harvested fields and distributes it to 160 food banks, community larders, and kitchens across the South West.
Despite reaching this milestone, the charity's founder, Holly Whitelaw, has warned that more funding is urgently needed to maintain operations. The cost of transport, storage, and coordination is rising sharply, threatening the group's ability to continue.
The charity, which started in 2020, has repurposed over 460 tonnes of produce and feeds 11,000 people every week with free produce. This comes as reliance on food banks is increasing, with Cornwall Council reporting that the number of food aid settings in Cornwall has risen from 20 to 180 since 2015.
Why this matters: The increasing reliance on food banks and the financial strain on organisations like Gleaning Cornwall highlight ongoing challenges in food security, particularly as 30% of children in Cornwall are living in food poverty.
What this means for you: Reducing food waste at home can help save money and support environmental efforts, according to Gleaning Cornwall's founder.