BEING able to knock-up a cappuccino at home is a treat.

But unfortunately, the coffee pods used by espresso machines have been slated for creating huge amounts of waste.

Now a small food firm near Abingdon is tackling the problem by selling eco-friendly coffee pods.

The bio-degradable, Nespresso-compatible pods, made with Percol coffee, scooped a national award.

They were recently named Which magazine’s Best buy of coffee pods.

Simon Collison, co-founder of Radley-based Foodylicious, said: “Customers have been crying out for a green offering, given all the old capsules that are going into landfill.

“We knew they were good.”

Foodylicious, which also delivers food boxes to customers’ homes and allows them to mix and match what they want in the package, was set up at the end of last year.

Mr Collison, who spent 30 years working in the food industry, explained: “What I have found over the years is that so many products don’t make it into supermarkets, or don’t get enough awareness and that is where we come in as a business.

“I wanted us to give our customers quality products they want, while at the same time giving smaller, quality suppliers real exposure.”

The team also demonstrates at food and drink festivals around the country, including 22 within an hour of Oxford this summer, to persuade people to sample its stock.

They also have a stand at The Royal County of Berkshire show in Newbury next month.

Mr Collison explained: “ keeps us close to our customers.

“If something is not right we are certainly told so at shows, so having that one-to-one engagement with customers is key to our philosophy.”

The Foodylicious line-up includes soft drinks which are a blend of mineral water, juice and teas, a range of gluten-free crisps from the makers of Salty Dog, which won an award last year and waffle-based products made in Belgium.

He added: “We don’t want to lose our local roots and we only work with a handful of quality brands. “Coupled with this, it was my goal to have a business which was sustainable wherever possible and that puts something back into the community where I have made my home.”

He added: “An example is that we are proud to support the Gatehouse helping Oxfords Homeless by donating food left from shows and even have someone previously from there who works with us on our stand at a variety of shows.

“Having personally volunteered at the Gatehouse 10 years ago I knew the challenges for people to get on who through no fault of their own find themselves homeless.”