VBDS – THE HOWS AND THE WHYS 

A question we are often asked: ‘How do you deliver free of charge veg boxes to those in financial hardship?  What is the process?’ 

1. As a Christian charity, empathy and caring for others is the foundation for all that we do at the Veg  Box Donation Scheme (VBDS). We care about people; we care about food poverty; we care about  providing a healthy diet to those we deliver veg boxes to; we care about food waste! What is food  poverty? ‘Food poverty is the inability of individuals and households to secure an adequate and  nutritious diet. It can affect those living on low incomes, with limited access to transport and poor  cooking skills.’ (https://buff.ly/3Ifd1iI). Education is important, and we will be printing easy-to-cook recipe cards using seasonal produce to accompany our weekly veg boxes.  
2. A lot of the fruit and vegetables we distribute are donated to us. Volunteers drive weekly to food  businesses, supermarkets, farmers and schools to collect their surplus and close-to-end-date veg,  fruit, eggs, and bring it to our base in Potton. Allotment gardeners and local residents also donate  produce.  
3. Grant funding and donations enable us to buy veg and fruit to supplement the boxes and is crucial to  the operation of VBDS – see our list of funders on the website. 
4. Referrals of households suffering from food poverty come from other food banks, schools and  agencies.  
5. Once a week volunteers pack the veg boxes and deliver them to the homes on our list that week. Volunteers can be individuals who work together with another volunteer, or families. Volunteering is  a wonderful opportunity for children to learn compassion for others! One of our littlest volunteers  said: ‘We are packing food for the hungry people.’ 

Another popular question is: ‘How do we get a veg box from VBDS?’ See the page on our website explaining  the process, under the About Us tab, or contact us. We do ask for a referral, but we will provide a one-off  veg box while you sort this out . 

A third question we are asked: ‘How can I help?’ 

1. Donate time – Volunteer to help with the packing and delivery of veg boxes, or with collecting  produce during the week. Or contact us if you would like to set up a Veg Box Donation Scheme in  your area.  
2. Donate produce – Help us fill the veg boxes for those in need with donations of home grown or  bought fresh fruit, vegetables and eggs. See Local Schemes on our website for info on local collection  venues or contact VBDS to arrange for us to collect. 
3. Donate £ – Support the wider work of VBDS. Contact us for more information or donate online via  the website.