FareShare is calling on manufacturers across the food industry to step forward and help support thousands of charities across the UK that are facing unprecedented demand for their services.
During the last financial year, 2022-23, FareShare – the UK’s biggest charity fighting hunger and food waste – redistributed nearly 128 million meals or four meals every second to charities across the UK supporting some of the most vulnerable communities.
However, 90% of the charities and community groups receiving food from FareShare have reported a dramatic leap in people seeking help. Despite ongoing support from partners across the food industry, FareShare’s network is struggling to meet demand.
FareShare said: “As cost-of-living prices soar, demand for services provided by charities and community groups continue to skyrocket. Many say their day-to-day operations will be severely impacted without sufficient food supplies.”
The company already works with over 850 partners in the food industry to redistribute good-to-eat surplus food to those that need it via a nationwide network of charities and community groups.
In a recent survey of charities receiving food from FareShare, over half reported needing more ambient and/or chilled food, while almost half also said they needed more supplies of frozen food, meaning there are opportunities for all sectors of the food industry to provide support.
Lindsay Boswell, CEO of FareShare said: “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. 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.”
Visit FareShare’s website for more information, here: https://fareshare.org.uk/giving-food/.
