Kersia UK is proud to support Devon social enterprise Food in Community as part of its wider commitment to using food safety expertise to make a positive difference in local communities.
The partnership will see Kersia UK provide practical food safety expertise, hygiene products, guidance and training to help Food in Community scale up its operations safely, as the organisation prepares to open a new processing facility at South Devon Food Hub, near Totnes.
The collaboration was initiated by Andrew Blackler, regional manager at Kersia UK, through Kersia UK's Committed and Different programme, which empowers employees to support initiatives that deliver positive social impact.
It also reflects the company's wider social responsibility ethos and mission to invent a food-safe world.
Helping surplus food reach those in need
Every year, tonnes of quality produce never make it to the plate, some is too large, too small, too wonky or simply surplus to requirements.
While this produce may not meet retail specifications, it can still play a vital role in supporting healthy, nutritious diets.
That is the goal at the heart of Food in Community, which works with local organic growers to rescue surplus vegetables and redistribute them within the community.
Each year, the organisation repurposes around 140 tonnes of surplus and ‘wonky’ organic produce that might otherwise go unused or be diverted to animal feed. The produce is then used to support schools, hospitals, homes and community food initiatives across the region.
As Food in Community grows its operations, safe and hygienic production will be essential to ensuring the organisation can continue to expand.
Its new processing facility will allow the team to wash, prepare and freeze more organic produce, helping to reduce waste and increase year-round availability.
The processed produce will also be sold, with proceeds helping to fund community initiatives including wellbeing food boxes, accessed through local GP surgeries, NHS referrals, councils and schools.
This will help nutritious food reach people who need it most, while making better use of produce that may otherwise have gone to waste.
Food safety expertise
Kersia UK is supporting this next stage of growth by supplying hygiene products, food safety guidance and training to help the team embed robust hygiene practices at the new facility from the start.
Andrew Blackler says the partnership is a strong example of how the company’s knowledge and products can support meaningful community action.
“Everyone should have access to quality food that’s produced safely and we felt strongly about supporting an initiative that brings together farming, food and communities.
“We hope our knowledge will help the charity embed robust hygiene practices in line with food industry standards, and that other businesses in the region will also look at how they can support the cause.”
David Markson, co-founder of Food in Community, says: “Kersia UK’s support is a huge stepping stone for us as we develop this next stage of our work.
“The partnership serves as a strong example of how food industry expertise can support local action on food waste while contributing to wider efforts to improve food safety and resilience.”
To find out more or get involved, visit: Food in Community – Lets Bring it to the table
