Home / Environment / Gleaning Cornwall Hits £1m Milestone Amid Funding Crisis
Gleaning Cornwall Hits £1m Milestone Amid Funding Crisis
18 Oct
Summary
- Gleaning Cornwall saved £1m worth of produce from fields.
- The charity supports 160 food banks across the South West.
- Rising costs threaten the charity's ability to meet demand.
A significant effort to combat food waste has resulted in Gleaning Cornwall saving over £1 million worth of fruit and vegetables. The charity mobilizes volunteers to gather unsold produce from farms, redirecting it to a network of 160 food banks and community kitchens spread across the South West region.
Since its inception in 2020, Gleaning Cornwall has repurposed more than 460 tonnes of food, providing sustenance to approximately 11,000 individuals weekly. All distributed produce is offered free of charge to recipients.
However, the organization is confronting substantial economic pressures. Founder Holly Whitelaw highlighted that increased operational costs for transportation, storage, and coordination are impacting their capacity. This comes as food bank reliance grows, with local data indicating a sharp rise in need.
Cornwall Council research reveals that 30% of children in the county experience food poverty. Gleaning Cornwall is urging the public to reduce household food waste, emphasizing the environmental and financial benefits of using existing resources.
