Surplus Fruit and Veg Donation Drive

 

Help us pick blackberries!

Blackberry season is upon us, and we'd hate to see all the lovely ripe fruit go to waste. That's why we need YOU to help us gather as many blackberries as possible by 3rd August to supply 50 blackberry-based recipe kits for low income households.

You can drop your fruit off at Unit 17 Barnwell Business Park, Barnwell Drive, CB5 8UZ. We’re open between 9am-5pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

If you can’t make it over then please contact alex@cambridgesustainablefood.org to organise an alternative time. We may also be able to come and collect from you.

When picking blackberries please remember:
🍇 Blackberries are ripe when they're dark in colour, plump, firm, and slightly matt
🍇 Only pick where the fruit is in abundance
🍇 Leave plenty behind for wildlife and so the plant can reproduce
🍇 Seek permission before picking on private land
🍇 Take care with brambles - wear long sleeves and trousers

If possible donate your fruit within 24 hours of picking to maintain freshness. Happy picking!

surplus fruit and veg donation drive

Is your fruit tree, garden, or allotment producing more than you can use? Donate your surplus fruit and veg to CSF and we’ll make sure it reaches people who need it.

Seasonal surplus is often overlooked as a climate positive food. That’s why we’re on a mission to collect as much fresh, local produce as we can this summer and help it reach low income households instead of going to waste when residents have grown more than they can use.

All the produce we collect will be distributed back into the community through local food hubs and social food networks. Some will go out as fresh produce, some will be packed into recipe kits for families accessing food hubs, and the rest will be processed and preserved so we can keep distributing it throughout the winter.

We are collecting surplus produce donations across three weeks:

  • 27th-31st July

  • 24th-28th August

  • 14th-18th September

CAMBRIDGE CITY RESIDENTS: please fill in the donation form to organise collection (Cambridge residents only) or drop-off (at our food centre in Barnwell). For more information / questions please contact alex@cambridgesustainablefood.org

Click here to donate your surplus produce

SOUTH CAMBS RESIDENTS: see here for the collection schedule across Cambourne, Cottenham, Milton, Fulbourn, Linton, Orchard Park, Duxford, and Northstowe

south cambs residents: click here for details of village produce collections

join a batch cooking session

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help us transform gluts of surplus fruit and veg into tasty, nourishing products and preserves to supply the Cambridge community throughout the autumn and winter.

Join us at a seasonal batch cooking session to learn new recipes, meet new people, and support our mission to make sustainable food accessible for everyone. We’ll be upcycling donated produce from the collection weeks into chutneys, pickles, sauces, soups, and more.

Everything we make will be distributed via food hubs and social food projects, helping to increase access to sustainable food among low-income households while reducing food waste.

August and September 2026 - dates to be announced soon!

To find out more please contact alex@cambridgesustainablefood.org