Food waste redistribution charity FareShare is calling on all corners of the food industry to help support local organisations that are facing unprecedented demand for their services.
During the last financial year, FareShare redistributed nearly 128 million meals – equivalent to four meals every second – to a nationwide network of almost 8,500 charities. These support some of the most vulnerable communities across the UK.
Due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, 90% of these charities and community groups have reported a dramatic leap in people seeking help. FareShare said that despite continued support, its network is struggling to meet demand, with many saying their day-to-day operations will be severely impacted without sufficient food supplies.
FareShare is the UK’s biggest charity fighting hunger and food waste. It already counts more than 850 partners in the food industry with which it works to redistribute good-to-eat surplus food to those that need it most. Recent new partnerships from bakery firms include Baker & Baker, which is donating surplus stock from all four of its manufacturing sites, and Pladis-owned biscuit and cracker brand Jacob’s.
The food provided helps strengthens communities and brings people together, claimed Fareshare, often offering a gateway to additional services. It added that it was working tirelessly to unceasingly support the vital services delivered by charities, including food banks and pantries, hostels, refuges, community centres, older people’s lunch clubs, school clubs and hospices.
Donations encouraged
According to its recent survey of charities receiving food, FareShare found over half reported that they needed more ambient and/or chilled food. Meanwhile, almost half of those surveyed said they needed more supplies of frozen food, highlighting that there are opportunities for all sectors of the food industry to provide support.
“We are enormously grateful to our existing supporters across the food industry, who continue to do all they can to provide us with surplus food,” said Fareshare CEO Lindsay Boswell.
“Unfortunately, demand continues to outstrip supply. In all regions across the UK, we desperately need additional food from new sources to help boost our supplies. Ongoing supply chain issues, the war in Ukraine, and high energy costs are all factors impacting the availability of food surplus for redistribution.
“We would encourage all food industry businesses that do not already work with FareShare to consider passing on their surplus food to us as it will be pivotal in enabling charities and groups to continue providing vital services within their community,” Boswell added.
Bakers with surplus food that they are keen to donate can make contact with Fareshare by submitting a form on its website.
Government funding
In 2019, FareShare received a £1.9m government grant as part of a trial scheme to tackle food waste, which helped cover the extra costs of food waste distribution for small-scale farmers, growers and producers. The trial was said to have resulted in 85% more fruit and vegetables reaching frontline charities and community groups.
However, funding ended in 2020 and, despite widespread calls, is currently not being renewed. FareShare is now asking for a new grant of £25m, which would allow it to redistribute an additional 100 million meals to vulnerable families – nutritious food that otherwise goes to waste.
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