Ocado Retail donates over 73,380 meals to families in need this Christmas
To mark its fifth year supporting The Felix Project, Ocado Retail has donated over 73,380 meals to families in need, surpassing its target of 45,000 meals by an impressive 64%.
The UK’s largest dedicated online supermarket achieved this milestone by donating one meal to The Felix Project for every chocolate advent calendar sold at the start of the festive season.
The donation is part of Ocado Retail’s longstanding partnership with The Felix Project, which has resulted in contributions totalling £2.9 million since its inception. This effort aims to rescue surplus food that would otherwise go to waste, transforming it into meals for families and charities across London.
Farm to Freezer initiative: Prolonging the life of surplus food
Of the £2.9 million donated, £1.5 million has been allocated to innovative projects like Farm to Freezer, an initiative that supports farmers in reducing food waste by processing surplus produce. Methods include juicing, jamming, cutting, saucing, chopping, and freezing, providing a sustainable solution for utilising excess food while extending its shelf life.
Jonathan Wiseman, General Counsel and Chief People Officer at Ocado Retail, commented: “Our ongoing work with The Felix Project helps deliver food to families in need that would otherwise go to waste, creating nutritious and comforting meals. As food plays a central role in our customers’ holiday celebrations, thanks to their support, we are incredibly proud to have provided more than 73,380 meals for those who need it the most. We look forward to continuing our partnership and helping provide more meals for those in need in the new year.”
This Christmas, Ocado Retail has also partnered with Marks & Spencer to provide over 3,000 Christmas bundles at 13 Community Shop stores across the UK. These bundles include beef joints, M&S chocolate coins, and thousands of vouchers to help members fill their baskets for Christmas Day.
In addition, the retailer will donate surplus festive food on Christmas Eve to ensure it is put to good use, and it continues to support local schools and community groups through its Charitable Giving Voucher Scheme.
Ocado Retail’s efforts highlight its commitment to tackling food waste while supporting vulnerable communities during the festive season. Through initiatives like The Felix Project partnership, Farm to Freezer, and its Community Shop programme, the retailer is making a significant impact on families in need while promoting sustainability.
