Donate A Veg Box Campaign

The Veg Box Donation Scheme (VBDS) is a registered charity providing free of charge, fresh, healthy veg boxes weekly to families in financial need, in Potton, Sandy, Biggleswade, Gamlingay and surrounding villages, helping to provide a healthy diet. In addition to the fruit, vegetables, and eggs, the veg boxes include an easy, seasonal recipe using simple, everyday ingredients.

The donations of produce that VBDS previously received from supermarkets and veg businesses has decreased hugely in the last two years due to the cost-of-living crisis, which has led to a 'cost-of-giving' crisis for charities. Businesses that previously donated to us have been closed or gone into administration, and although some supermarkets still donate faithfully, others are buying less and giving less.
 
As a result, we are having to lean heavily on grant funding to buy the fruit and veg we need to fill the veg boxes that we deliver to those in food poverty. And of course, funding has decreased, and prices have risen dramatically since Covid.
 
You can help by donating a ready-made veg box for a family in financial need in our community. Our veg boxes provide fresh produce for a household of 1-2, 3-4, or 5-6 people. You could use a shoe box for a small family, or a delivery box you have received, or contact us for a suitable size box, and fill it with purchased (or home grown!) potatoes, onions, carrots, brassicas, tomatoes, apples - anything that you would normally purchase for your family. We could send you examples of the ingredients for a typical box if you prefer.




A recent Director of Public Health Report states: 'Affordability influences access to healthy foods and, for families on a lower income, a healthy diet may be unaffordable. The poorest fifth of UK households would need to spend 47% of their disposable income on food to
meet the cost of the Government recommended healthy diet. This compares to just 11% for the richest fifth.’

COMMENTS

• ‘I would like to thank you for my vegetable box and beautiful flowers. I'm extremely grateful to you.’ Recipient
• ‘Many thanks, the clients sing the praises of the boxes.’ Referrer
• 'A client said that this has been the most helpful for them and they look so forward to them. They struggle so much.' Referrer

EVERY DONATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE
A healthy diet is so important. Please help us to help those in your community who are  battling to provide nutritious food for their children and themselves.