Waitrose redirect 20 million meals combating food waste and supporting UK communities
In an ongoing collaboration with FareShare, a leading UK charity focused on fighting hunger and food waste, Waitrose has redirected the equivalent of twenty million meals’ worth of surplus food to various charities and community groups across the UK.
This initiative aligns seamlessly with Waitrose’s commitment to halving food waste within its operations and supply chains by the year 2030, all while supporting customers to do the same.
Between July and December 2023, a commendable 168 tonnes of surplus food were redistributed. This effort not only provided essential sustenance to those in need but also showcased a significant environmental impact by preventing over 269 tonnes of CO2 emissions and saving more than 252 million litres of water.
Waitrose’s proactive approach involves daily distributions of surplus food from over 300 stores through FareShare Go, facilitating a direct link between local charities and Waitrose outlets. These partnerships enable the collection and transformation of surplus food items—such as bread, fruits, and vegetables—into nutritious meals or food parcels for community members. Additionally, high-quality surplus items, including meat, fish, dairy, and produce, are distributed from Waitrose’s Enfield and Greenford distribution centres to FareShare’s warehouses, further supporting local charity initiatives.
Lindsey Crompton, Social Impact & Health Lead at the John Lewis Partnership, emphasised the significance of this initiative, particularly amidst the rising cost of living. She highlighted the company’s determination to support community welfare and its pride in the partnership’s achievements towards the food waste reduction goal.
Echoing this sentiment, Polly Hoffman, FareShare’s Head of Retail, acknowledged the critical need for such initiatives given the escalating living costs affecting millions in the UK. She expressed gratitude towards Waitrose for their ongoing support, which has enabled the provision of essential food supplies to thousands of charity-supported individuals.
The recent data from July to December 2023 illustrates the broad impact of this collaboration, benefitting 2,681 charities and community groups. These include organizations aiding the homeless, supporting asylum seekers and refugees, working with children and youth, and assisting older community members.
A noteworthy beneficiary, The Smith Brothers Foundation in Merseyside, exemplifies the profound community benefits. The foundation, which supports individuals with autism among other initiatives, leverages surplus food from Waitrose to provide essential food parcels and educational culinary sessions, impacting up to 300 people weekly.
Sheryl Dooley, CEO of The Smith Brothers Foundation, lauded the vital role of the partnership with FareShare and Waitrose, particularly in these challenging times where food has become a crucial necessity for many families.
This partnership between Waitrose and FareShare not only addresses immediate needs but also fosters community well-being, aligning with Waitrose’s broader commitment to social impact and sustainability. As they continue to strive towards halving food waste by 2030, their actions set a commendable standard for corporate responsibility and community support.
