Foodshare is a national not-for-profit, volunteer-powered charity which connects growers (schools, allotments, community and kitchen gardeners) with local charities. Our vision is for every school to have a Foodshare Bed and every grower to sow a little extra and share their surpluses with local charities that feed people. It’s a fulfilling and brand new way to give!
The original pilot scheme in Milton, Cambridgeshire, UK was a huge success with over £1,500 of fresh produce donated to the local Children’s Hospice in just three months by the local primary school and allotment.
In 2010, Foodshare launched across the UK with the over 250 charities signing up within three days to find Food Philanthropists – growers sharing surpluses or setting up a dedicated Foodshare Bed. Since then, over £100,000 of produce has been donated worldwide, with over 7,000 school children already “Growing to Give” across the UK, with other countries to follow.
Foodshare has made national news headlines on the BBC, has been featured on BBC Radio 4′s Gardeners’ Question Time, ITV, BBC1 Breakfast as well as on the front cover of national magazines including ‘Grow Your Own’. The project has been endorsed by and promoted to 10,000+ members of the RHS Gardening for Schools Campaign and the 100,000+ members of the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners. The Queen and the Prime Minster have sent personal congratulations to schools taking part and Prince Charles has donated some of his own runner beans to the school project. Foodshare is a founder member of the Government-supported Taskforce exploring the potential of Food Growing in Every School.
Our vision is for every school to have a Foodshare bed, so that each child can learn about growing and experience the joy of sharing with their community.
The other main aims of Foodshare are to:
- Reduce the spiraling food bills of charities.
- Produce locally-grown, seasonal and fresh produce to those that will benefit the most.
- Reduce food waste by distributing surplus food to charities instead of landfill or compost heaps.
- Reduce the food miles of charities.
Location
Cambridge, United Kingdom
Website
