The Felix Project expands apple rescue efforts amid UK orchard decline

London’s largest food distribution charity, The Felix Project, has incorporated Kent’s Hazel Street Farm orchards into its network, rescuing surplus fruit and producing apple juice to fight food waste and support vulnerable communities amid ongoing challenges facing UK apple growers.

London’s largest food distribution charity, The Felix Project, has expanded its efforts to rescue surplus fruit by incorporating Hazel Street Farm’s apple orchards in Kent into its growing network of food rescue initiatives. The farm, owned by HE Hall and Son, donated the entire orchard after its apple crop became financially unviable to sell, a reality that reflects the broader struggles faced by many UK apple growers.

This donation comes amid rising production costs, changes in government policy, and adverse weather conditions, which collectively have cast a shadow over the UK’s apple-growing sector. Industry warnings suggest that orchard numbers could be halved within the next 12 years if these financial pressures continue. The Felix Project’s intervention helps prevent large quantities of valuable fruit from going to waste while providing much-needed fresh produce to London’s vulnerable communities.

Throughout September and October, more than a thousand volunteers from The Felix Project, supported by local groups such as The Hythe Environmental Community Group and companies like Vacherin, have been harvesting the donated fruit. This collaborative effort has resulted in the picking of over 23 tonnes of apples, nearly 50 tonnes of pears, and more than 2 tonnes of plums. The rescued fruit is distributed primarily to community organisations and hundreds of primary schools across London, supporting families experiencing food insecurity.

Expanding beyond just rescue and distribution, The Felix Project has also moved into producing apple juice from the surplus fruit. Last year, over 20,000 bottles of apple juice were produced from donated apples, including those from Peter Hall’s farm. This additional step not only maximises the use of the fruit but also provides a versatile, longer-lasting product that can be distributed widely.

The Felix Project’s work with the Kent orchards has been recognised for its impact. At The Grocer Awards 2024, the charity won in the ‘Waste Not Want Not’ category, underscoring the significance of their food waste reduction efforts. The rescue operation demonstrates a successful model of community engagement, sustainability, and social support by transforming what would otherwise be lost crops into vital nourishment for those in need.

This initiative highlights the complex challenges within UK agriculture and food systems, while showcasing how innovative partnerships and volunteer commitment can make a meaningful difference in reducing food waste and addressing food poverty.

📌 Reference Map:

• Paragraph 1 – ^[1], ^[2] (The Grocer)
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• Paragraph 3 – ^[3], ^[6], ^[7] (The Felix Project, Vacherin)
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• Paragraph 5 – ^[5] (The Felix Project, The Grocer)
• Paragraph 6 – ^[2], ^[3], ^[5] (The Grocer, The Felix Project)

Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative was published on 21 October 2025, making it highly fresh. The Grocer is a reputable UK publication, enhancing the freshness score. The Felix Project’s involvement in rescuing surplus fruit from Hazel Street Farm in Kent is a recent development, with no earlier reports found. The article includes updated data on the quantities of fruit harvested and distributed, indicating a high freshness score.

Quotes check

Score:
10

Notes:
Direct quotes from Will Davenport and Richard Smith are unique to this report, with no earlier matches found. This suggests the content is original or exclusive.

Source reliability

Score:
10

Notes:
The Grocer is a reputable UK publication, and The Felix Project is a well-established charity. The involvement of local groups like The Hythe Environmental Community Group and companies like Vacherin adds credibility.

Plausability check

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative aligns with known challenges in the UK apple-growing sector, including rising production costs and adverse weather conditions. The reported quantities of fruit harvested and distributed are consistent with the scale of operations of The Felix Project. The tone and language are appropriate for the topic and region.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and sourced from reputable entities. The claims are plausible and supported by the context of the UK apple-growing sector. No significant credibility risks were identified.