Where it all began.

Devon Dig and Donate CIC was brought to life after a passion for showing people how to grow food, and a passion to serve the community collided in the mind of our founder, Rhiannon.

“Working full time in education, often with vulnerable pupils and families and as the cost of living crisis and poverty rates in the UK have increased, I have supported more and more families in accessing food banks. Through my conversations with them, and my work leading food nutrition across my previous schools, it became apparent that often families felt fresh fruit and vegetables were an expense that they couldn’t always afford and so were often some of the first things to be cut out of their food shopping when things were tight. And while donations to food banks are often very generous, due to the nature of collections, fresh produce is not always available for donation”.

Volunteers preparing no dig beds last growing season.

The current cost of living crisis is driving hundreds and thousands of British people into poverty and demand at food banks nationwide is increasing. In 2023/2024, the Trussell Trust distributed over 3.1 million emergency food parcels in the United Kingdom, with 1.1 million being distributed to children. The Trussell Trust figures represent almost double the number of parcels distributed five years ago in 2018/19 (a 94% increase). The Trussell Trust figures also show that ‘food bank support for pensioner households is rapidly increasing. Between 2018/19 and 2023/24 food bank support for these households has more than quadrupled – (an increase of 345%), compared to an 81% rise amongst households without someone of pension age’ (taken from the Trussell Trust end of year UK factsheet 2023/2024). 254,974 food parcels were distributed in the South West of England, with demand for Exeter food bank alone rising by over 130% in the past few years. Through discussions with vulnerable families, the thing that they always say is either too expensive to buy or is the thing they cut out when thing get even tighter, is fresh fruit and vegetables. Access to healthy, nutritious food is something that every person deserves with the United Nations stating that every man, woman and child should enjoy the right to adequate food. Article 27 in the convention on the rights of a child states that every child has the right to a standard of living that is good enough to meet their physical and social needs and support their development. Recent findings from Groundwork found that 78% of schools are currently having to provide food for children from their own budget, while data from the Child Poverty Action Group shows that 800,000 children living in poverty are not eligible for free school meals and two million children do not have access to a healthy diet. At Devon Dig and Donate CIC, we believe that everyone, no matter their age or circumstance, should be able to have access to healthy and nutritious food, whatever their circumstances and this is what inspired us to set up the project.

By aligning ourselves with local food banks, community food sheds and larders, and other local food action initiatives, we can ensure that fresh healthy and nutritious produce is distributed appropriately and reaches those who need it most.

A sunny Saturday growing session.

“How can I get involved?” I hear you cry! Well, you can support us in a number of ways. First and foremost, please spread the word! Tell people about what we are doing, show them our work, and let them know we are here to support them if they need it. Another way you can support us is by joining our volunteer team. We gather on Saturday mornings all year round between 10am and 12pm to sow, grow and maintain the site. In warmer months with longer days we also gather on Wednesday evenings between 6pm and 8pm. If you feel able to, you can support us by making a donation, either as a regular donor or by donating a one off amount. Any amount helps us work towards our goal of maintaining the project to ensure we can support as many people as possible. And another way to support us is by attending one of our events that happen throughout the year. Keep your eyes peeled for announcements of upcoming events!

Harvesting butternut squash.