We run the Food Larder based at Crediton Library. We collect and take delivery of surplus food and make it available for anyone, regardless of income, to take free of charge. We are pleased to be reducing food waste and increasing food security in our community.
What We Do
We collect food near or at its ‘Best Before’ date from Tesco (Express and Superstore); Lidl; Morrisons; The Greenhouse; and Four Seasons and place it on the tables in the foyer in the Library. In addition members of the community drop food, especially garden and allotment produce, off to the same place.
On Fridays we take delivery of surplus food from FareShare South West. This is delivered to the Age Concern premises in Deep Lane and distributed to their elderly clients as well as members of the community. Any food left over is then delivered to the Library, with chilled items going into the fridge there.
We pay a modest amount for this food, so we also cater for events like the Seed Share event in February and the Green Fair in September to raise funds.
Why It Matters
Countless people in our community benefit from this free food. At least 30-40 people take our Friday food and, in 2024, the library staff estimated about 75 people a week were using the larder there. We are so pleased that our efforts to reduce food waste also have wonderful social benefits for which people are so grateful.
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How to Get Involved
We need a lot of volunteers for this project and you would be very welcome to join our merry team! You could collect food at Tesco at 9pm one evening; you could help unload potatoes from the FareShare van on Friday lunchtime; you could cook for our fundraising stalls; or we could find you another job to suit your availability.
Contact if you would like to know more about how to get involved.
