‘Five portions of fruit and veg a day’, is what we’re all being told to consume, but sometimes that’s tricky to achieve!
Step in the Shrewsbury Food Hub, which 3 years ago, began an initiative to collect excess fruit from local orchards and gardens. “This year the scheme has grown significantly, with over 30 locations inviting our volunteer pickers to come and pick fruit,” explains Food Hub co-founder, Ali Thomas. “We have picked an amazing 4,400kg of surplus fruit this season, which would otherwise have been left to rot on the ground. That’s more than 30,000 pieces of fruit we’ve been able to redistribute to the people of Shropshire!”
All of the fruit has been redistributed through the Food Hub community networks.
“Every week of the picking season we’ve sent fruit to 15 schools, 6 playgroups and 7 youth clubs across Shropshire,” adds Ali. “We have also made regular deliveries to The Ark, The Food Bank, care homes and Severn Hospice.”
The initiative is an extension to the Food Hub’s mission to rescue surplus food for environmental and social good. Last year the Food Hub redistributed 214 tonnes of surplus food across Shrewsbury and Shropshire, helping to ensure that every household has the chance of including ‘five a day’ in its diet.
If you would like to get involved with our glean team or to volunteer with the Food Hub in general – or if you have surplus food you would like help with – please get in contact: [email protected]. Similarly if you would like to support our work please donate via our website https://www.shrewsburyfoodhub.org.uk/
Written by Alex Hankinson King and shared with local Shropshire press 18 November 2024