Clinical nutritionist who set up Honiton Veg Bank explains what she does

Sue Vaughan, a clinical nutritionist from Honiton, has been running a Veg Bank out of her back garden on Queen Street since last June.

The idea arose after she and her neighbour used to provide free boxes of the fruit and veg grown in their gardens to people living in a block of flats opposite them.

Nub News spoke to Sue, who explained: "I realised that some people are not getting the fresh produce they need to have a healthy diet, and are suffering the health problems as a result.

"I initially approached the Food Bank in town, however there were concerns around perishables, so I decided to set up a Veg Bank in my garden shed.

"The places where you go to get food tokens in Honiton now also have the veg tokens that I've supplied.

"It means that people who are unable to afford it can access food that is locally sourced and nutritious.

"We do also supply eggs and tins of beans and lentils.

"Around 50 per cent of the people who visit me work, but do not earn a living wage - the 'working poor' as it's termed.

"Much of what is provided is grown in my back garden.

"Another part of what I do is to educate people on the ways that they can be self-sufficient by making use of small areas of outside space.

"I will be giving away tomato plants for people to grow their own tomatoes on their windowsill.

"I've also made a recipe ideas book, which gives people the knowledge of how to create meals from scratch using what they've got.

"Pasta sauces, for example, are so easy to make and the shop-bought equivalents are full of sugar and processed ingredients.

"It's is a case of returning to the old-fashioned way of doing things.

"Just after the war, when sugar was rationed, people mainly lived off what they could grow. As a result we were much healthier then.

"In the summer I'm looking to set-up a community allotment space to show people just how easy it is to grow fruit and veg in a small space - beans for example grow upwards.

"We really do rely on donations and I would like to ask that if anyone can help with providing us with items of fruit and veg, it would be much appreciated.

"We have a donation box next to the Food Bank in the Co-op in Lace Walk.

"We are also extremely grateful to Garry Wakeham, from Open Arms East Devon, who always brings us anything left over from his Aldi and Tescos collection."

For more information on the Honiton Veg Bank contact Sue Vaughan on 07980 903733, or email [email protected].