In allotments, gardens, and fields across Bath and North East Somerset, CropDrop is making sure no good fruit or vegetable goes to waste whilst making sure as much as possible ends up feeding the people who need it most.
The idea is simple: CropDrop, which is a member of the Feeding Britain network, coordinates the redistribution of surplus produce from allotments and growers directly to Affordable Food Clubs in the same area. This approach keeps food miles low, builds lasting relationships between growers and communities, and ensures a steady supply of fresh, healthy ingredients for local people.
At its heart, CropDrop works by pairing an allotment site with a nearby food project, such as a pantry, community café, or school. Growers can deliver their donations themselves or arrange for collection by a volunteer driver. The donations are timed to enable food projects to get the produce onto plates quickly – often the same day or the next.
How it Works:
- On an agreed day, allotment holders leave their donations in an arranged collection box on-site, protected from the weather and potential hungry animals (usually in a box, behind a shed in the shade).
- A volunteer driver picks up the fruit and vegetables, and transports them to a charity project. In some cases, the volunteer drivers are from the allotment growers or the charity projects themselves.
- Charity projects offering food parcels distribute to their recipients soon after.
The range of produce CropDrop handles is as varied as the seasons themselves. In summer, boxes might brim with tomatoes, beans, and courgettes; in autumn, crates of pumpkins, squash, and apples take centre stage. All produce is fresh, local, and seasonal, ensuring maximum nutrition and minimal environmental impact. In one season alone, volunteers collected over 600 pumpkins and squash from three farms and 550kg of apples from local gardens – all redistributed to food projects and schools.
CropDrop’s work began in 2020, when the first few allotments in Bath started donating to local food projects during the pandemic. The idea quickly grew. Within months, more allotments and projects joined, supported by a network of volunteer drivers ready to transport donations. The result was a web of connections across Bath & NE Somerset, linking growers directly with people who could use their surplus.
These efforts matter because fresh produce is often one of the hardest things for food projects to source. Having access to nutritious, locally grown fruit and vegetables not only improves diets but also adds variety and dignity to the food available to those on the smallest budgets.
Feedback from recipients is heartfelt and powerful. As Rosalie Forde, Head of Food and Design Technology at Three Ways School, put it:
“Nothing is ever wasted… I don’t think I can ever thank you enough for the hundreds of nutritious meals that have been made and the myriad of food-based experiences created for our wonderful kids.”
It’s not just about the food, it’s also very much about the connections it fosters. Growers see the difference their contributions make, which often inspires them to grow and donate more. Communities feel supported not just by the produce, but by the care and collaboration that comes with it.
Looking ahead, CropDrop aims to connect even more allotments with local food projects, explore new initiatives like a Bath-wide Fruit Tree Amnesty, and share more stories of generosity through social media.
Whether you’re an allotmenteer with extra courgettes, a gardener with an apple tree heavy with fruit, or someone who simply wants to make a difference, CropDrop offers a way to turn surplus into support — and to grow a stronger, healthier community along the way.
If you’re inspired to set up a CropDrop in your own area, check out this guide: How to set up a CropDrop operation
Visit cropdrop.org.uk to learn more about the great work CropDrop are doing.
