A LOCAL charity redistributed the equivalent of £993,000 worth of food in 2021 to people and families in need, which would otherwise have been wasted.

Devon and Cornwall Food Action started in 2010 with the aim of helping people in food poverty by redistributing donated surplus produce via food boxes.

Through links with most of the major supermarket chains, alongside several independent food suppliers and manufacturers, the food is still perfectly fit for consumption and would otherwise have been sent to landfill or disposed of.

Last year alone, the charity provided more than 10,000 food boxes to people on low income or who are unemployed, and those suffering from addiction and long-term illness, the equivalent to more than 500 tonnes of food.

Over the Christmas period 230,000 tonnes of food is thrown away in the UK, including 11.3 million potatoes, 7.1 million pigs in blankets, 260,000 turkeys and nine million carrots.

Alan Dunne, Chairman of Devon and Cornwall Food Action, has acknowledged the support given by South West Water, which provides £11,250 to the charity each year.

Alan said: “Our distribution centre in Plymouth supports this city and our partners Feeding Devon who cover Teignbridge, Dartmoor and the South Hams, South Devon and various partners in Cornwall who then redistribute surplus food to other charities and organisations who, in turn, help vulnerable communities.

“Our partnership with South West Water literally keeps the lights on and without it we would not be able to provide the service we do to people who need it so much. Sadly, in the current climate with soaring fuel prices, many people are having to choose between heating or eating.”

Jo Ecroyd, Director of Customer Services at South West Water, said: “There are approximately 8.4 million people in the UK in food poverty, while we throw away around 9.5 million tonnes of food each year. The support Devon and Cornwall Food Action provides is vital and we’re proud to play our part in helping to make that happen.”