Kersia UK backs new facility to boost safe redistribution of surplus organic produce

Kersia UK is helping unlock a major expansion in community food access across Devon, as the food safety specialist supports social enterprise Food in Community with the opening of a new processing facility designed to bring more surplus organic produce to schools, hospitals and households across the region.

The new site, based at South Devon Food Hub near Totnes, will allow the charity to wash, prepare and freeze significantly larger volumes of rescued vegetables, extending shelf life and ensuring high‑quality produce can be used year‑round. The facility opens in July and is expected to increase the amount of food rescued almost ten‑fold, transforming how surplus is redistributed locally.

Food in Community currently works with organic growers to repurpose 140 tonnes of surplus and ‘wonky’ vegetables each year, preventing them from being wasted or diverted to animal feed.

The new facility will enable the organisation to scale this impact dramatically, with produce sold to generate funds for community initiatives such as wellbeing food boxes accessed through GP surgeries, NHS referrals, councils and schools.

Kersia UK is supporting the expansion through the provision of hygiene products, food safety guidance and training — expertise the charity says is essential as it moves into higher‑volume processing. The partnership forms part of Kersia’s global commitment to ‘inventing a food‑safe world’, empowering employees to support local initiatives that deliver social impact.

Andrew Blackler, regional manager at Kersia UK, said: “Everyone should have access to quality food that’s produced safely. We felt strongly about supporting an initiative that brings together farming, food and communities. We hope our knowledge will help the charity embed robust hygiene practices in line with food industry standards — and that other businesses in the region will also look at how they can support the cause.”

Food in Community co‑founder David Markson said the new facility will help ensure more local produce reaches people who need it most.

“We collaborate with farmers to ensure that this incredible, locally grown produce does not go to waste. Our facility will increase the amount of food rescued by almost ten‑fold. We want to keep more good food within the community and make it available to people in greatest need of nutritious food, to support children and people recovering from illness.”

He added that food safety is central to the organisation’s growth plans: “Kersia UK’s support is a huge stepping stone for us as we develop this next stage of our work. The partnership shows how food industry expertise can support local action on food waste while contributing to wider efforts to improve food safety and resilience.”