We’re absolutely thrilled to share some exciting news! Good Food Oxfordshire, in partnership with our fantastic friends at Oxford Food Hub and Cherwell Collective, is launching OxPlenty – a brand new, community-powered initiative designed to tackle food waste right at the source: our local farms. It’s about ensuring delicious, perfectly good food reaches the plates of those who need it most, instead of going to waste.

The Unseen Harvest: Why Good Food Goes Astray

Did you know that a staggering 3.3 million tonnes of food are wasted on UK farms every year? That's a quarter of our nation’s total food waste – enough to fill nearly 200,000 trucks! It’s a truly disheartening figure when you consider that 9.3 million people in the UK face food insecurity.

Why does this happen? Often, it’s down to things like a wonky carrot not meeting strict cosmetic standards, last-minute supermarket order cancellations, or simply an abundant harvest making it uneconomical to pick everything. The result? Wholesome, nutritious food never even leaves the field.

And the impact isn’t just social. Food loss and waste contribute up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Here in the UK, 70% of the freshwater used in farming goes towards food that, tragically, is never eaten. This is a problem we simply can’t ignore, and it’s one we’re determined to address right here in Oxfordshire.

OxPlenty: Growing Solutions from the Ground Up

This is where OxPlenty comes in – our hands-on, hopeful answer to this challenge. We’re rolling up our sleeves and working directly with Oxfordshire’s incredible farmers to identify and rescue surplus crops that would otherwise be ploughed back into the ground or left to rot.

But it’s not just about rescuing. Our plan is, once harvested, this amazing produce is given a new lease of life through gentle processing – whether that's jarring, freezing, or drying – to extend its shelf life. From there, it finds its way onto the plates of those in need through our invaluable and collective network of local food access programmes and community partners.

This initiative is a true win-win. Not only does it rescue perfectly good food, but it also champions our local growers, helps to cut carbon emissions, strengthens community resilience, and transforms what was once considered waste into a valuable resource. It’s about building a stronger, more sustainable food system, together.

More Than Just Food: Valuing Every Harvest

At its heart, OxPlenty is about much more than simply reducing waste. It’s a movement to rethink how we value every single bite. Every pumpkin, every apple, represents countless hours of dedicated labour, precious litres of water, and the fertility of our land. When we allow that food to go to waste, we're not just losing calories; we’re undermining the entire system that supported its growth.

By capturing this surplus before it’s lost, OxPlenty is helping to close the loop between our local food supply and the real needs within our community. It’s a vital step towards creating a truly just, sustainable, and circular food system right here in Oxfordshire.

Help Grow OxPlenty

OxPlenty is just sprouting, and we are so excited about its potential. But to truly flourish, we need you! There are so many rewarding ways you can get involved and be part of this vital initiative:

1. Lend a Hand: Get your boots and hands dirty with us on harvesting days, join our cheerful food processing sessions, or help with local deliveries. Every volunteer could make a huge difference!

2. Grow with Us: Are you a local farmer with surplus crops and not enough help to shift it? We’d love to chat! Let’s work together to ensure your amazing produce finds a good home.

3. Help Us Grow: Your generous donations and funding support are crucial. They help us scale our impact, reach more communities, and rescue even more food. Donate here.

4. Be a Voice: Help us spread the word! Share the hidden cost of food waste and the incredible power of local, collaborative action. Find our posts on social media using the hashtags: #OxPlenty and #ZeroWasteOx

Whether you’re a passionate farmer, a dedicated volunteer, a local authority, or simply someone who cares deeply about good food, you can be a vital part of building a better food future for Oxfordshire.

Launched on 16 June 2025, OxPlenty is ready to grow and make a real difference. Join us!