Sustainability Spotlight | Devon Farm Kitchen
Devon Farm Kitchen is an innovative and environmentally focused social enterprise that provides delicious frozen meals to South Devon residents, while raising funds for Rowcroft Hospice. Established by the hospice in 2021 it was designed to generate sustainable income to support vital care services for people with life-limiting illnesses.
Zero plastics and zero to landfill
Devon Farm Kitchen were the first organisation in the country to pioneer a frozen meal delivery service using reusable ceramic crockery, but their environmental and sustainable practices extend far beyond this to impressive zero plastics and zero waste strategies, compostable packaging, local sourcing with a focus on quality and provenance – and, not least, being a friendly face for customers who are sometimes isolated or lonely.
At the heart of their operations is a zero-plastic policy. Meals are served on reusable ceramic plates and bowls, collected, sanitised, and returned with each delivery, creating a closed-loop system that significantly reduces waste.
The decision to use reusable ceramic plates was a deliberate choice, motivated by a strong desire to eliminate plastic waste, a pressing environmental issue in the food delivery industry. By adopting ceramic plates that can be reused hundreds of times, they significantly reduce their environmental footprint, setting a new standard in sustainability.
“While our ceramic plates and bowls may initially be more costly to us than other more conventional forms of packaging such as plastic trays, they can be re-used time and time again, so in the long run our investment pays off. The clay for our ceramics is sourced locally in Cornwall, and the outer cardboard packaging that houses each plate and bowl is 100% recyclable, carbon neutral and compostable. Our model of sustainability is a key selling point for our meals: it makes for happy customers and a greener planet!” commented Devon Farm Kitchen Manager, Joe Bradshaw.
Local sourcing and provenance
Local sourcing is another cornerstone of their sustainability strategy. By partnering with local farmers and suppliers, food miles and carbon emissions associated with long-distance transportation are reduced. This approach ensures the freshest ingredients for customers while strengthening the local economy and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
"We prioritise taste, quality, and provenance in sourcing our ingredients locally, and we endeavour to continually innovate to reduce our carbon footprint."
Devon Farm Kitchen’s balanced meals are carefully prepared and cooked by hand in small batches from their kitchen in Torquay. Frozen for freshness, the meals aim to provide the very best in nutrition to support the health and well-being of customers.
Each serving comprises quality ingredients and nutrient-dense foods that support physical health, cognitive function, energy levels, digestive health, and emotional well-being.
"When sourcing ingredients for our meals, we take into account many factors including taste, quality, texture, and we're passionate about provenance. We try to buy predominantly from Devon suppliers, so that food miles are kept to a minimum and so that we can support our local businesses. We favour suppliers with eco and ethical credentials, and where possible, we buy free-range and organic produce.”
Kitchen and food waste
The sustainable operations extend beyond packaging. Devon Farm Kitchen collaborates with DCW, a food waste recycling company, ensuring that any kitchen waste finds purpose as compost or energy to power local farms and factories.
"Here in the kitchen, we try and keep food waste to an absolute minimum, and we're always looking for new ways to reduce our carbon footprint. We're delighted to be using the food waste recycling company DCW, to ensure that any waste that we generate is put to good use as compost, or as energy to power local farms and factories.”
A friendly face checking in with customers
Devon Farm Kitchen prides itself on a personalised service where the delivery driver ‘checks in’ with each customer, providing a friendly face and a regular point of contact for customers. This is particularly important for those who are living alone, socially isolated, frail or vulnerable. Sometimes, the driver may be the only person that a customer will see all day, so being able to spend time chatting with them is a key part of Devon Farm Kitchen’s service.
The Rowcroft background
Before Devon Farm Kitchen was launched, Rowcroft Hospice in Torquay faced the challenge of securing sustainable revenue streams to support its expanding care services. While the hospice had a strong reputation for compassionate care, its income was heavily reliant on community donations and traditional fundraising efforts, with little focus on integrating sustainability into its business model.
Many conventional food delivery services rely on single-use plastics and long-distance supply chains, which contribute to significant carbon emissions and environmental degradation.
Rowcroft saw an opportunity to create a social enterprise that would not only support the hospice financially but also lead the way in environmental responsibility. The result was Devon Farm Kitchen.
Devon Farm Kitchen in numbers
Devon Farm Kitchen has gone from strength to strength since the social enterprise launched in 2021:
- Fulfilling 16,000 orders.
- Delivering a remarkable 120,000 meals across 500 square miles of Devon.
- Expanding their menu to include a choice of 60 dishes including vegetarian, gluten-free and small meal options.
- Winning numerous awards from Taste of the West and Food Drink Devon, including Best Online Retailer 2023, as well as being a finalist in Torbay’s social enterprise of the year award.
Devon Farm Kitchen not only sustains the health of its customers but also nurtures the environment by championing practices that reduce emissions, support local ecosystems, and set a new standard in the food industry. Every meal they deliver is a step toward a healthier planet and a more sustainable future.
For more information about the Devon Farm Kitchen service and Rowcroft Hospice click here.