COVID-19 lock down has resulted in the closure of many volunteer community groups, schools and workplaces which would otherwise be feeding millions of vulnerable individuals.
In order to ensure that no-one slips through the gap, charities have quickly adapted their operational models to ensure food can reach these vulnerable individuals within the 2m social distancing guidelines.
20K tonnes food donations – 11,000 national charities = 4.6 million meals a year
FareShare is one of the leading charities that redistributes surplus food (destined for the bin) from retail and manufacturers to 11,000 national charities and community groups who go on to produce nutritious meals for almost 1 million vulnerable individuals every week. Including, those experiencing homelessness, mental health, domestic violence, loneliness and families using breakfast, after school and holiday clubs to make ends meet and allow children to learn without hunger.
COVID-19 lockdown has meant that many of FareShare’s community groups have closed their doors, leaving their vulnerable visitors at risk of hunger. Additionally, our ‘panic’ stockpiling means that retailers and manufacturers have limited stocks of ‘surplus’ food to donate.
FareShare is adapting its services to ensure no vulnerable individuals go hungry
FareShare’s determination to prevent vulnerable individuals going hungry has resulted in the quick adaptation of their operational model. Fareshare, and other similar charities, have:
- Shifted from providing surplus ingredients for communal meals to providing food parcels that can either be given or collected by people in need.
- Are assessing the ability of their charities and community centres, including schools, to act as a local redistributors of food parcels.
- Working with government to make available £5 million to support farmers, growers, manufacturers and distributers to safely and quickly divert food to FareShare without incurring additional costs
- Calling on all retailers and manufacturers to donate any surplus they may have.
- Calling for volunteers to help with the delivery of food parcels and working within their distribution centres.
Last year, FareShare redistributed over 20.5K tonnes of surplus or ‘designated for waste’ food to it’s 11,000 national charities who converted it to over 46.5 million meals.
“During this time of crisis the support of our food partners has never been more important. We are seeing a significant increase in demand – the number of charities who have applied to receive food from FareShare has more than tripled in the last month. A big thank you to Alpro for their generous donation of plant-based foods that will help greatly in allowing FareShare to provide our network of charities and community groups with healthy and nutritious meals” says FareShare Commercial Manager, Michael Shields
From our friends at Alpro.