A police charity in Cornwall has donated thousands to a Cornish organisation fighting food poverty.

Devon & Cornwall Police’s Chief Constable's Foundation has gifted a cheque of £6,000 to Devon and Cornwall Food Action (DCFA).

The donation came entirely from funds raised by the Chief Constable’s Foundation throughout the year, after DCFA was chosen as the Force’s Charity of the Year for 2021 by officers and staff.

The money raised each year by the Chief Constable’s Foundation is spread across three areas: The Charity of the Year, The Community Fund and the Staff Transformation Fund, which supports staff and officers who volunteer for groups, charities and organisations.

This donation will be used to help eradicate food poverty in Devon and Cornwall, which sees the charity redistributing produce received from food suppliers and manufacturers to those in need.

DCFA is currently running a new pilot scheme with schools in Plymouth where parent support advisors help to identify families in need of food parcels.

Alan Dunne, Chairman of DCFA, said: "Our relationship with Devon & Cornwall Police is paramount to what we do.

"We react to issues and cases we are presented with swiftly and without judgment, because for us it’s all about getting a positive result.

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"The relationship we have built with the police staff and officers in Plymouth is complimentary without a doubt."

The produce donated to DCFA does not meet the high standards for commercial sale, but is still fit for consumption and would otherwise be wasted.

By donating this food to DCFA instead of sending it to landfill, supermarkets and producers are reducing their carbon footprint, decreasing food waste and more importantly fulfilling the social responsibility of helping families and individuals who are suffering from food poverty.

Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer said: "The DCFA was voted as the Force charity by our staff and officers, the very people who witness the hardships that our communities endure every day. We recognise that unfortunately food poverty is a real problem, especially in our rural areas.

"To be able to support such a brilliant charity who directly tackle some of the issues we see on a daily basis is very rewarding.

"I am proud of the volunteer work our staff and officers continue to undertake on top of their duties.

"The Chief Constable’s Foundation aims to support their hard work and dedication to our communities, as well as the charities they volunteer for which make this all possible."

Find out more about Devon and Cornwall Food Action on their website: www.devonandcornwallfoodaction.org/