Devon Farm Kitchen, the young social enterprise committed to raising funds for Rowcroft Hospice, is the first organisation in the country and across the world to operate a frozen meal delivery service using reusable ceramic crockery.
With its commitment to sustainability and a ‘zero landfill’ ethos, Devon Farm Kitchen’s innovative use of returnable and reusable ceramic plates and bowls demonstrates a pioneering approach to food packaging and eliminates plastic waste entirely.
“We are proud to be leading the way in sustainable and environment-friendly packaging for our delicious frozen meals,” said Devon Farm Kitchen’s Manager Joe Bradshaw.
“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!”
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.
Moreover, the emphasis on sourcing ingredients locally from reputable Devon suppliers minimises food miles and supports regional businesses while upholding eco and ethical standards.
“We prioritise taste, quality, and provenance in sourcing our ingredients locally, and we endeavour to continually innovate to reduce our carbon footprint,” remarked Joe Bradshaw. “By excluding plastic from our packaging and recycling all waste, we aim to champion sustainable dining practices while supporting our local hospice.”
With all profits going to support Rowcroft Hospice in delivering specialist care to local patients with life-limiting illnesses, Devon Farm Kitchen has gone from strength to strength since the social enterprise launched in 2021:
- fulfilling 12,500 orders;
- delivering a remarkable 92,000 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;
- and 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 also prides itself on a personalised service where the delivery driver ‘checks in’ with each customer.
“Our delivery drivers provide a friendly face and a regular point of contact for our customers,” added Joe Bradshaw. “This is particularly important for those who are living alone, socially isolated, frail or vulnerable. Sometimes, our 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 our unique service that sets us apart from our competitors.”
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.
“We are captivating the hearts and taste buds of our local community with our convenient and easy to reheat meals,” concluded Joe Bradshaw. “It’s testament to the enduring appeal of freshly produced, locally sourced meals, served on proper plates and bowls, and the growing awareness of the importance of supporting our local food producers, protecting our environment, and raising vital funds to care for patients and their loved ones in our community.”
For further information about Devon Farm Kitchen, please take a look at the menu at devonfarmkitchen.co.uk
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About Rowcroft Hospice
It takes time, compassion, medical expertise and money to help patients and families make the most of every day, but every year Rowcroft Hospice helps around 2,500 people living with life-limiting illnesses in South Devon to do just that.
By providing comfort, support and specialist services, the hospice enables families to share precious and joyful moments when they are needed most – whether it’s a beautiful wedding, remarkable reunion, simple thank you or gentle cuddle.
From Dartmouth to Dawlish and up onto Dartmoor, Rowcroft cares for 80% of its patients in their own homes with a team of community nurse specialists, social workers, and bereavement volunteers. The team also provides occupational therapy, physiotherapy, complementary therapy, spiritual care and music therapy, delivering a holistic approach tailored to individual needs.
Day and night, Rowcroft’s award-winning Hospice at Home team provide free specialist support to patients at home in their last few of weeks of life. The team helps to monitor and manage symptoms to enable patients to be comfortable and also offers support for loved ones, enabling carers to take much needed breaks.
The service includes a dedicated telephone support line 24 hrs a day.
In Rowcroft’s 12-bedded Inpatient Unit in Torquay, the hospice’s team provides specialist care for patients whose complex needs cannot be met at home. Alongwith high quality health and social care, we also offer delicious home cooked meals and access to our beautiful gardens. The welcoming and homely environment helps patients and families to make the most of precious time together.
Rowcroft is an independent charity with around 75% of its funding derived from the incredible generosity of local people. The hospice team fully acknowledges the current challenging economic climate and is grateful for the local community’s continued support through these tough times; every pound raised makes a real difference.
With an increasingly ageing local population, the demand for Rowcroft’s care has never been greater. The charity currently cares for around one in three people with life-limiting illnesses across South Devon and has ambitious plans to expand its care to reach more people.
For more information, please visit www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk
About Devon Farm Kitchen
Devon Farm Kitchen was set up by the charity Rowcroft Hospice, solely to generate funds to support the hospice in caring for local patients with life-limiting illnesses. For every order you place with Devon Farm Kitchen, all of the profits from your purchase go to support Rowcroft in caring for families across South Devon.
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