As winter approaches, many families across Oxfordshire face increased challenges accessing fresh, nutritious food. In response, Good Food Oxfordshire is launching a new crowdfunder, the Fresh Food for Oxfordshire campaign, to bring surplus local produce from Oxfordshire farmers (who are signed up to our OxFarmToFork initiative) directly to the Oxford Food Hub for an entire year.

From 15 November 2024 to 15 January 2025, this campaign aims to raise £10,000 to provide fresh, locally produced food for schools, charities, community groups, and organisations addressing food insecurity. Every pound donated will go towards ‘purchasing’ surplus local produce, ensuring no food goes to waste and helping meet the growing need for making healthy, local food more accessible for everyone in Oxfordshire.

What Is OxFarmToFork?

OxFarmToFork is a pioneering initiative launched in July 2023 by Good Food Oxfordshire to support local farmers, promote sustainable food practices, and reduce food miles. Originally designed to connect farmers with local institutions, the project quickly gained traction and currently provides hyper-local produce to 19 Oxford colleges from 18 local producers. At the moment, nearly 50% of UK farmers are uncertain about their future and only 1% of Oxford’s food currently sourced locally. Good Food Oxfordshire via OxFarmToFork is keen to extend its work to ensure those most in need can access healthy, locally grown produce. By connecting farmers with the Oxford Food Hub, this initiative fosters a stronger, community-driven food system that directly benefits small-scale producers and those facing food insecurity.

Why Your Support Matters Now

We know that fresh produce is becoming increasingly scarce at food banks. Meanwhile, local farmers face challenges like market instability and in glut periods, food waste. The Fresh Food for Oxfordshire crowdfunder is an exciting opportunity to provide fair compensation to farmers for surplus produce while ensuring anyone signed up to Oxford Food Hub’s network of organisations has a steady supply of fresh fruit and vegetables.

With your support, each pound donated will directly fund fresh produce grown within 50 miles of Oxford City by farmers prioritising nature-friendly farming practices. Our aim is for any surplus OxFarmToFork produce to be distrubuted to Oxford Food Hub’s network of 17 schools, 8 children’s community groups, 30 refugee and homeless organisations, and 4 colleges. Together, we can build food resilience, reduce waste, and promote sustainable agriculture in our community.

How Your Donations Make a Difference

Our goal is to raise enough funds to keep Oxford Food Hub stocked with fresh produce for an entire year (which we estimate to be around £10,000). Your contribution doesn’t just provide fresh food to those in need; it also supports sustainable farming practices that benefit the environment. Every donation helps reduce food miles, supports the local economy, and bolsters the financial stability of small-scale Oxfordshire farmers.

How You Can Help

We need county-wide, community support to make this ambitious campaign a reality. Here are some ways you can get involved:

- Donate: Every donation, no matter how small, makes a difference! Visit our Donorbox page Fresh Food for Oxfordshire to contribute.

- Spread the Word: Share the crowdfunder with friends, family, and anyone interested in supporting local farmers and fighting food insecurity.

- Follow Us on Social Media: Keep up with the campaign’s progress and see the impact of your donations by following Good Food Oxfordshire on social media and using the hashtag #FreshFoodForOxfordshire.

Join Us in Making a Difference This Holiday

Season With your support, OxFarmToFork can bring fresh, nutritious food to local food banks and schools, reduce food waste, and provide critical support to Oxfordshire’s farmers. Join us in creating a resilient, community-centred food system that ensures everyone has access to the healthy food they need to thrive. To donate and learn more about how your contributions will make an impact, visit the Donorbox page today. Together, we can create a more sustainable, just, and resilient food system for everyone in Oxfordshire!