Introducing Vegelicious!

An exciting new project to get more fresh fruit and vegetables out into the community is up and running at FareShare Greater Manchester.

The Vegelicious scheme offers bulk orders of fruit and veg to community organisations.  Participants just need to commit to receive either a half pallet (400kg) or a full pallet (800kg) of mixed fruit and vegetables on a regular basis (either weekly or fortnightly).

Already up and running

Our new ‘Vegelicious’ partners are using the produce they receive to make up fruit and veg bags for the people they serve or to complement their existing food offer. Among those receiving Vegelicious deliveries already are primary schools, community cafes and community food pantries.

At FareShare Greater Manchester, we are on a mission to tackle food insecurity and reduce food waste across our city region and beyond. The Vegelicious scheme was born after we were told of the need for more fresh fruit and vegetables within the communities we serve. We listened to those requests and we hope that this is one solution.

Support from DEFRA

FareShare Greater Manchester is thrilled to have secured support through DEFRA’s ‘Surplus with Purpose’ funding which is enabling us to receive an increased amount of fresh produce in our warehouse.  We know our community food member organisations would like more fresh fruit and veg and that their members are finding it expensive to buy regularly.  Offering a bulk supply means we can reduce the cost and help ease the pressure.

The response has been amazing.  Our Vegelicious Project Co-ordinator, Sharon, has been out and about visiting groups that have signed up so far.  “People are delighted with the opportunity to increase the amount of fresh fruit and veg they eat at home and can try new things without worrying about the cost.”

Join Vegelicious

To date we have 13 fully signed up members on the Vegelicious scheme with more joining all the time. In the first nine weeks of the project we have redistributed an extra 29.6 tonnes of fruit and vegetables thanks to Vegelicious. That contributed towards nearly 70,000 meals (based on a typical 423g meal portion)!

If you are from a community group or charity which supports those experiencing food insecurity and you’re interested in finding out more, please get in touch. You can contact Sharon at sharon.robinson@emergemanchester.co.uk