By Lynne Lambourne – Founder of The Grow Up and Warriors on Waste
I’ve always believed that food should nourish not just our bodies, but our connection to the planet too. That’s why I’m beyond thrilled to be working with Wonky Veg Boxes, a company that genuinely walks the walk when it comes to sustainability, reducing food waste, and helping us all live more healthily, more consciously.
Through my own platforms; www.thegrowup.co.uk and www.warriorsonwaste.co.uk — I’ve spent years encouraging people to reconnect with food and think sustainably, from growing your own produce to making the most of what’s in your fridge. When we grow our own, we witness the effort it takes: the nurturing of soil, the patience, the watering, the waiting. It teaches you not to waste. Throwing food away then doesn’t just feel like wasting a carrot, it feels like wasting time, energy, water, soil nutrition and all the care that went into creating it.
Did you know that 1.3 billion tonnes of food are wasted globally every year? That’s a third of all food produced – let that sink in. In the UK alone, we throw away around 6.4 million tonnes of edible food annually. These are not just numbers, they’re a stark reminder that the system needs to change. And I believe Wonky Veg is a huge part of that change.
I love what Wonky Veg stands for: they’re intercepting surplus and imperfect produce, the slightly bendy carrots, the knobbly potatoes, the oversized courgettes and bringing them straight to people’s doors. This isn’t just about preventing waste; it’s about reimagining our relationship with food. In our busy lives, it’s often hard to prioritise shopping or healthy eating. But with a fridge full of good food, delivered straight to you, it becomes so much easier to cook nourishing meals, waste less, and enjoy the natural beauty of food, imperfections and all.
What makes Wonky Veg extra special is that it’s family-run. That sense of care and passion shines through in everything they do. As an ambassador, I feel like I’m part of the family. I speak with the team almost daily, we’re always bouncing around ideas for new recipes, finding like-minded collaborators, and talking about how we can keep improving sustainability within the company. We’re not just talking about food boxes, we’re creating a movement. A mini food revolution.
It’s time to shift our thinking. None of us are physically perfect, so why should we expect our fruit and veg to be?
I’m genuinely excited for what the future holds with Wonky Veg. I hope more restaurants and households alike begin to see the power in this simple, logical, planet-friendly way of shopping. Together, we can make a real impact, one imperfect veg at a time.
With love and muddy hands,
Lynne Lambourne
www.lynnelambourne.com
Founder, The Grow Up | Warriors on Waste
Ambassador for Wonky Veg Boxes
