An organisation that rescues hundreds of tonnes of surplus food from the jaws of the bin is expanding its operation, because apparently we still haven't learned to appreciate our vegetables.

Food in Community, a Dartington-based community interest company, has spent the last 14 years collecting unwanted and extra crops from local growers and farmers. Their goal: reduce waste and improve access to sustainably produced food. Because, shockingly, letting perfectly good food rot while people go hungry is not a sustainable model.

The food is packed into boxes and delivered free to doorsteps, with any leftovers going to food banks, community fridges, lunch clubs, and youth groups. They work mainly in Devon but also send items to Cornwall, and now they want to recruit more farmers, volunteers, and business partners to save even more food.

Chantelle Norton, a director at Food in Community, cited research by World Wide Fund for Nature and Tesco from 2022 estimating that 2.9 million tonnes of edible food is lost or wasted annually on UK farms. That's a lot of potential courgette bread.

"What's important is making the most of the resources we've got," Norton said. "We value not just the food itself and the nutrition it brings, but also the farmer's time, the water that goes into producing that crop and the care everyone puts into it. It's important to appreciate every last piece of edible food that is grown."

Food in Community box manager Sandra Crawford explained that boxes are given to people referred to the organisation, often because "they're in particular need or having a particularly difficult time." Recipients get a box, usually for up to six months, delivered right to their doorstep. Because when you're struggling, the last thing you need is a grocery run.

This year's bumper crop: courgettes. Farmer Lloyd Stone, who supplies Riverford Organic Farmers, has been donating produce from his fields near Ashburton for two years. "It's been a good year for courgettes and some are just too large, they are heading towards marrow size," he said. "The cows will eat these, but if some of them can go for human use too then that's great." Cows are not the only ones who appreciate a good courgette.

Totnes Rural Area Youth Engagement (TRAYE) has been receiving free fruit and vegetable boxes for two years. Youth worker Kerry McCain said, "At TRAYE, we provide food for all the young people who come to us - we've got nine youth clubs across south Devon. Being able to get a free box of locally sourced fruit and vegetables makes a big difference." The food also helps get young people involved in preparing and cooking meals before they sit down to eat together. Because nothing builds character like chopping an oversized courgette.

So, as the UK continues to waste millions of tonnes of food annually, at least one group is doing something about it, one doorstep delivery at a time. And if you're in Devon and have a glut of courgettes, you know who to call.