The FAre Exchange

The Fare Exchange Bodmin was set up during the COVID-19 pandemic by a group of volunteers wanting to help make change and support the community around them. Sourcing surplus food from local and national businesses and charities, we distribute food surplus to those most in need helping reduce food poverty. 
Working closely with organisations like FareShare we have been able to quickly grow our supply chain however there is still much more to be done to meet demand and ensure no child in Cornwall goes hungry.
Since the start of the pandemic through the Fare Exchange Bodmin we have diverted 32.9 tonnes of food waste from landfill, distributing it to people in need. All together this is the equivalent of 79,900 meals which have been distributed between as many as 854 people each week. This service has saved our communities £43,828 they don't have giving them access to free food in times of need.

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The Fare Exchange Highlights

Since 2016 we have been creating change in communities across Cornwall. 

854

people supported in a week

At its busiest the fare exchange fed 854 people in a week, recently we have been again regularly feeding over 800 people each week.

79,000

total meals provided

We have distributed food parcels containing more than 79,000 to people in need since the start of the pandemic.

32.9

TONNES OF FOOD SURPLUS SAVED

Preventing it from going to waste, redistributing it across the community to those in need through the Fare Exchange.

£43,828

retail value of food distributed

The value of support in kind we have been donated in food is £43,828, providing huge financial savings for those living in food poverty.

5

community hubs supported

Helping them meet growing demand in their community and ensuring they have access to enough food to meet community need. 

46

volunteers have made this happen

Without dedicated ongoing support from our expanding team of volunteers none of this would have been possible.
Currently we are receiving food surplus from FareShare South West, Tesco, Asda, Aldi, Lidl and Morrisons. We plan to continue expanding the fare Exchange and are working with Fareshare South West to set up a distribution hub that will feed 10 hubs across eastern Cornwall. We are currently operating at full capacity and are looking to secure a larger premises that will allow us to assess the additional food available to us while also working with supermarkets to set up donation points and additional sources of supply.

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Help make epic happen

We are only able to continue making change through the generous support of our community. You too can make epic happen, helping us to do what we do best and making change for the better across our communities.

Feed a family

£25 could feed a family for a week helping lift them from food poverty, reducing financial strain and ensuring that no child goes hungry.

Make a change

£50 will help us to respond to the changing needs of the community so we can work with the them to develop the support they need.​

collect a pallet

£120 will cover the cost of collecting a pallet of food from Bristol, collecting up to 4 pallets a week just our transport costs for this year are over £20,000