The UK’s biggest surplus food distribution charity, FareShare, has opened a new warehouse in Milton Keynes to provide an estimated 370,000 meals t0 people in need over the next year.The regional centre will be FareShare’s 25th warehouse in the UK, aims to serve 49 charities and community groups and will reach over 5,200 people at risk of hunger within its first year.
FareShare provides quality surplus food that cannot be sold due to packaging errors, overproduction, or a short shelf life, to people in need – including homeless hostels, school breakfast clubs, rehabilitation centres and elderly lunch clubs. The charity is working in partnership with SOFEA, a charity that works with young people to develop their employability skills.
The opening has be facilitated by a £20m investment from Asda as part of its ”Fight Hunger Create Change” programme – a partnership between Asda, FareShare, and Trussell Trust, which aims at supporting 1 million people in poverty across the UK. The £20m investment is set to support both charities with infrastructure, and the ability to offer more fresh food and support to people in need.
Stephi Bret-Lee, senior director and corporate affairs at Asda, said: “Our Asda Fight Hunger Create Change programme aims to make a real difference in this local community, as well as on a larger scale as we continue to help people out of poverty and create a long term positive change in the UK by tackling the root causes of poverty and ensuring nobody goes hungry.”
Richard Kennell, of FareShare South Midlands and SOFEA, said: “If you would like to get involved either by donating, providing food or registering as a charity member, we encourage you to get in touch.”
By Michelle Mooney
