THE Food Larder Group, operated by Sustainable Crediton, were delighted to make an incredible £482.48 at the Sustainable Crediton Big Green Fair in the Town Square last month.

Exeter Food Action volunteers unloading food items. AQ 1999
Exeter Food Action volunteers unloading food items. AQ 1999 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

They provided soup and bread – heated up on a mobile kitchen kindly lent by Ashgrove Kitchens – and cake, as well as surplus food items. Visitors to their stall were appreciative and generous.

The Food Larder, based in Crediton Library, was started by volunteers 3½ years ago and it has grown considerably since then; they now have 24 volunteers and prevent even more food going to waste than ever!

Fruit and veg always form part of the delivery from Exeter Food Action. AQ 2004
Fruit and veg always form part of the delivery from Exeter Food Action. AQ 2004 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Anyone is welcome to take food providing they remember that the Larder only borrows the library space and respectfully keep the area quiet as well as clean and tidy.

Volunteers collect surplus food from Tesco and Lidl as well as independent High Street businesses, Four Seasons and The Green House; they take delivery of food from further away every Friday; and they take advantage of random food donations (perhaps most famously pasties from Chunk in Ottery St Mary).

Bread and doughnuts were part of a recent delivery to Crediton Food Larder. AQ 2009
Bread and doughnuts were part of a recent delivery to Crediton Food Larder. AQ 2009 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

They work hard: driving, walking, lifting, cleaning, cooking and preserving!

They also work collaboratively with the Crediton Foodbank, Queen Elizabeth’s School, Exeter Food Action, Crediton Age Concern and The Town Council (the Mayor was even seen running the Larder in the Square over the summer).

Sustainable Crediton's Community Larder Group served hot soup, drinks and cakes
Sustainable Crediton's Community Larder Group served hot soup, drinks and cakes (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

As enthusiastic environmentalists, the volunteers promote sustainability for all in our changing times.

To that end they asked visitors to their stall to tell them how they made their kitchens greener.

Ashgrove Kitchens lent the Community Larder Group a hob and oven on wheels for the fair
Ashgrove Kitchens lent the Community Larder Group a hob and oven on wheels for the fair (Will Goddard, Crediton Courier)

People watered their gardens with washing up water, made Apple Scrap Vinegar from apple cores and bought small amounts of ingredients in the Zero Waste initiative at Stevie B’s. The funniest response came from someone who wrote, ‘get some green paint’!

To make suggestions or become a volunteer, make contact via: [email protected]