Asda has donated the equivalent of more than 800,000 meals since March 1st to charities and community groups across the UK supporting people affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The supermarket, in partnership with food charity FareShare, has been donating food directly to charities and community groups via its back of store food donation scheme.

The scheme has so far provided more than three million meals from 525 stores since it began in August 2018, with best before labelled food going to local charities supporting those in their communities who need it most.

Food such as non-chilled fruit, vegetables and eggs, dented tins and bread products which can no longer to be sold in store, but are still edible, are donated. The products are then collected by charities and distributed, helping vulnerable people and saving food waste. Products with a use by date are not donated.

Asda’s zero waste senior manager, Karen Todd, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on charities and the people who rely on them. We are delighted to be able to help in any way we can and will continue to look at ways we can support those in our local communities. The scheme also means we are minimising food waste which, as a company, we are passionate about eradicating.”

Lindsay Boswell, chief executive at FareShare, said: “We’re incredibly thankful to Asda for their continued efforts in redistributing surplus food from stores because this is needed by people now more than ever. The coronavirus pandemic has put a strain on a lot of charities and community organisations, with increased demand as more families face financial hardship.

“FareShare Go is a real game-changer for many small charities, being able to source good to eat, free surplus food from retailers to help feed the many thousands of vulnerable people.”