Food in Community CIC, is launching Project Beetroot – an innovative new food processing facility that promises to transform the way food waste is tackled, support farmers, and provide unique training opportunities to individuals who face barriers to employment. They aim to develop a blue print for the future of sustainable management of surplus produce in the fields whilst serving communities.
The vision has been made possible by a £1.5 million grant received from DEFRA as part of their ‘Tackling Food Surplus at the Farm Gate’ initiative. The funding is ring fenced for initial set up costs.
At its core, the centre will focus on several impactful initiatives:
- Fighting Food Waste: The factory will process surplus food from local farms that would otherwise go to waste while also reducing the region’s carbon footprint and promoting food sustainability.
- Training for Employment: The facility will offer hands-on training in food production and other industry-relevant skills to individuals who might otherwise face barriers to entering the workforce.
- Food Security: A working, replicable model of how food supplies can be increased for times of acute shortage.
Rachel Watson, Director at Riverford Organic Farmers, expressed her excitement about the new initiative:
“This partnership embodies Riverford’s enduring commitment to creating a fairer, more sustainable food and farming system. We have worked over the long term with Food in Community and we are delighted to support this fantastic initiative, with its commitment to reducing food waste and achieving social impact”
“For Food in Community, this collaboration represents an important milestone in the mission to promote fairness and inclusion in the food system and incorporate some robust action around food security going forward ” says David Markson, Co-Founder and director of Food in Community.
“Our partnership with South West Farmers and Riverford Organic is an exciting opportunity to scale up our impact. Together, we’ll provide essential support to local farmers adopting nature-friendly agricultural techniques, while also empowering individuals who’ve been excluded from traditional employment paths to build skills and confidence. This model truly demonstrates how a community-focused approach can solve some of our biggest challenges in food and farming.” adds Chantelle Norton, Director Food in Community
The new replicable processing unit will be designed from the ground up with sustainability in mind and input from UWE to ensure the most rigorous environmental standards are adhered to, including the use of renewable energy sources. The facility will serve as a model for other businesses seeking to align a positive social and environmental impact.
Our vision would be to include a stockpile of preserved produce in reserve for the use by the community in times of emergency.
This collaboration reflects a growing movement toward a more inclusive and environmentally responsible food economy, and both organizations believe it will inspire other businesses and communities to take similar action.
For further information about Project Beetroot please contact:
Sarah Hackford Marketing manager
sarahhackford@gmail.com
07918 638022
About Food in Community:
Food in Community is a grassroots not-for-profit established in 2013, dedicated to reducing food waste and improving access to ethical, nutritious and nature-friendly food. The organization redistributes surplus organic produce, connects people to nature and food production, has the longest running organic pay what you feel café in the UK and delivers workshops, training, and volunteer opportunities.