More than 4,000 squashes will go to people in need

A farm will help fight food insecurity by donating more than 4,000 vegetables to charity.

The Patch MK, near Old Stratford, on the Northamptonshire/Buckinghamshire border, dedicated four acres to growing squash, with the entire crop set to be donated to The Felix Project.

Once harvested, the vegetables will be distributed to schools, youth clubs, food banks, and homeless shelters, providing support to people facing hardship across London.

Joe Gurney, who runs the farm, said: "We've donated around 54,000 meals to charities [since 2019] and with this project we're targeting the varieties [of squash] to suit the sort of cooking people use them for."

According to the Department of Work and Pensions, 17% of children, 11% of working-age adults and 3% of pensioners were in food insecure households in 2022/23.

This year is the first time the Gurneys have grown an entire crop to be given away and have tailored the varieties of squashes to suit different communities.

The squashes will be processed into 500g bags to make it "quick and easy" to cook with.

Charlie Neal from the Felix Project said the recipients of the squashes were "really, really thrilled" because the food was so fresh.

Ms Neal added: "Being able to work with [The Patch MK] and have access to a incredible amount of really good quality seasonal squash is really important.

"The end users are so grateful because fruit and vegetables are expensive. It really makes a difference."

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