About Us

Who we are

We started operation in 2011 as a joint community project planned by a small group, Devon and Cornwall Food Association (DCFA Exeter). In 2017 we became Exeter Food Action, an independent organisation registered with the Charity Commission as a not for profit, Charitable Incorporated Organisation (charity no 1174174). We now employ one full-time and two part-time members of staff, and have a team of over 50 dedicated volunteers.

We work in partnership with FareShare South West to supply food for their Community Food Members in Exeter, East Devon and Torbay. Our service is free and we are financed entirely by grants and donations. Together we distribute food to 64 food banks and community groups in Exeter and across Devon (January 2024).

We have seven Trustees: Nigel Walsh (Chair), Philip Willcock (Treasurer), Susannah Ford (Secretary), Saxon Spence, Charles Nyeko-Lacek, Yvonne Atkinson and Andrew Kemp (publicity & fundraising).

We are based at Unit 10, The Space Place, Alphin Brook Road, Marsh Barton, Exeter, EX2 8RG.

What we do

Exeter Food Action works with wholesalers, manufacturers and retailers, rescuing good, nutritious food, thus preventing it from going to landfill, incineration, anaerobic digestion, or being used as animal food.

All food received is donated to organisations that support more vulnerable people in Exeter and across Devon, including those affected by hunger, homelessness, family breakdown, low incomes, poverty, benefit uncertainty, abuse, poor nutrition and those receiving palliative care. We share food with soup kitchens, hostels, food banks, community cafés, schools, hospices and others. Any group can access our food as long as they are local to us (within a 50 mile radius of Exeter), and do not make a profit from the sale of the food. Food is never resold or given to individuals.

In 2023 we distributed just over 118 tonnes of food to 64 food banks and community groups, (equivalent to the weight of 3 Boeing 737-800 planes), supporting 1,000s of people every week. The volume of food distributed in 2023 is an increase of over 50% on the previous year, and a more than 500% increase in our annual distribution since we became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2017. It’s a record, although one we’d rather not have because it reflects ever rising demand.

Rescuing food

The food we rescue is often disposed of because it has a short shelf life, its packaging is damaged, or might simply be surplus to requirements. If any is unusable we compost it where possible and share it with a local allotment collective. Our own waste levels are very low.

Our current recipients

This is a list of our 64 current recipient organisations as of January 2024. Those marked with an asterisk are Exeter Food Action/FareShare South West members who receive a weekly delivery.

Some of our current suppliers