Exeter Food Action

Who we are

EFA is an Exeter-based charity - registered Charity No. 1174174 - dedicated to tackling food waste and food insecurity. We ‘rescue’ surplus food from supermarkets, producers and other sources, redistributing it to over 60 food banks and community groups in Exeter and across Devon. These organisations, in turn, support thousands of individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.

It’s a shocking fact that, globally, some 1.3 billion tonnes of food are wasted each year.  In the UK alone, up to 40% of food produced never gets eaten.

By preventing surplus food from going to waste, we aim to reduce environmental harm while making a meaningful difference to the lives of people living with food insecurity. The volume of food we rescue increases year on year and has increased fivefold since we became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2017.

In 2023, in partnership with FareShare (South West), we distributed just over 118 tonnes of food to 64 food banks and community groups, (equivalent to the weight of 3 Boeing 737-800 planes), supporting thousands of people every week. We anticipate that our 2024 figures will be the same, if not higher.

We work in partnership with FareShare South West to supply food for their Community Food Members in Exeter, East Devon and Torbay. Our service is free and we are financed entirely by grants and donations. Together we distribute food to 67 food banks and community groups in Exeter and across Devon.

Our culture and values

Exeter Food Action is committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency, accountability and integrity in all aspects of our operations and our work with beneficiaries, partners and the communities we serve.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

EFA is committed to promoting equality and diversity in all areas of its work. We will not discriminate against anyone on the basis of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other personal characteristic. We will ensure that all employees, volunteers and beneficiaries are treated with respect and dignity, and that they are not subjected to any form of discrimination, harassment or victimisation.

 This policy applies to all employees, volunteers, contractors, trustees and any other person associated with EFA. The policy applies to all aspects of EFA's operations, including recruitment, selection, training, promotion, performance management and service delivery.

EFA aims to promote equality and diversity by:

1. Ensuring that our recruitment and selection procedures are fair and transparent, and that we recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve. 

2. Where appropriate, providing training and development opportunities to all employees and volunteers to enable them to perform their roles effectively and to promote career progression.

3. Providing services that are accessible to all, regardless of their personal characteristics.

4. Ensuring that all employees and volunteers are aware of their responsibilities under this policy and are committed to promoting equality and diversity.