Supporting our chosen charity, Switchback

Switchback helps 18-24 year-old ex-offenders to build on catering skills learned in prison kitchens, as a starting point for finding work and establishing stability in their lives after release.

River Cottage make financial donations to the charity but our support goes beyond this. Hugh has been welcoming Switchback trainees to River Cottage HQ and his Canteens for some time now, with one graduate of the scheme being employed at the Axminster Canteen for two years.

Hayley Topley, Development Coordinator from Switchback said: “Once again Hugh and his team at River Cottage have come up trumps for Switchback and our Trainees! We are incredibly grateful to receive the £2,000 raised by guests at River Cottage HQ. This donation will really help us build on our success in helping young adults live life differently after release from prison. Our partnership with River Cottage supports us in so many ways.

"Only last week, a group of Trainees went on one of our regular trips to River Cottage HQ, experiencing for the first time the joys of camping, farm work, sea swimming, learning new cooking techniques and exploring well-sourced, local, seasonal food. Thank you River Cottage!"

We’d like to say a huge thank you to all of those guests who attended the event and made the donation possible.

Hugh will be appearing on both days of our Spring Food Fair, book your ticket now.