Sainsbury’s trials food donations scheme
Sainsbury’s is to test a new food donations scheme at a number of stores this weekend, following research from FareShare, which shows that 40% of community charities are struggling to meet demand for food.
19 Sainsbury’s stores across the country will encourage customers to add an extra item to their shopping, which will then be delivered to local community projects by FareShare. If the trial is successful, the scheme will be rolled out to more stores making it easier for customers to donate food on an ongoing basis.
Lindsay Boswell, chief executive of FareShare said: “”The tough economic climate is impacting everyone. But by adding a single packet of rice, or one bag of sugar to the weekly shop donated to us during this trial, Sainsbury’s customers will be making an enormous difference to our ability to support hungry and vulnerable people in their area with healthy and nutritious food.”
Sainsbury’s retail and logistics director, Roger Burnley, said: “The food we donate to FareShare tends to be fresh produce as this has the shortest shelf life. However, to make a nutritious meal, you need more than just fresh food, which is why we would like to give customers the opportunity to donate store cupboard items through this unique trial.
FareShare is a national food charity that addresses hunger in the UK by redistributing quality surplus food from the food industry to people who need it. Sainsbury’s has been working with FareShare since 1994 but this is the first time customers are being asked to actively take part. The charity provides the food to feed more than 35,000 people a day, up from 29,000 last year.
The trial, which takes place in 19 Sainsbury’s stores across the UK, begins today and will continue until Sunday 10 July. Sainsbury’s said that customers will be able to choose from a variety of suggested items, which are purchased as normal and left with the cashier at the till to be distributed at the end of the trial.
