Tesco customers donate 1.9 million meals through Winter Food Collection
Tesco stores across the UK have been overwhelmed by the generosity of customers during Tesco’s Winter Food Collection, with an incredible 1.9 million meals’ worth of long-life food items donated between 25th and 30th November in large and Express stores nationwide.
Every item donated provides vital support for charities FareShare and Trussell, helping to meet the increased demand during the holiday season. Donations to Trussell assist food banks in providing emergency food parcels for those unable to afford the essentials, while donations to FareShare support thousands of frontline local charities across the UK.
With heightened demand expected this winter, particularly during the Christmas period when families face additional costs, Tesco also provided an extra £500,000 in funding to FareShare and Trussell to help meet this urgent need.
Tesco CEO Ken Murphy said: “I just want to say a huge thank you to every single person who donated items at this year’s Winter Food Collection. Their generosity is always so amazing and really helps to make a huge impact in communities across the UK supported by Trussell and FareShare.”
Tesco’s support for these charities extends year-round. Through its Community Food Connection scheme, Tesco donates unsold food to FareShare. So far this year, Tesco and its customers have provided the equivalent of over 39 million meals to both charities.
In addition to food donations, the Winter Food Collection raised more than £340,000 in financial support, with customers contributing by rounding up their bills at the till or donating through Tesco’s online groceries website.
Kristopher Gibbon-Walsh, CEO at FareShare, said: “Every year, we are blown away by the generosity of Tesco customers at the Winter Food Collection, and this year is no exception. Thank you to every single person who volunteered in-store, donated an item of food, topped up their shopping bill, or made a donation to FareShare. Your kind support ensures we can continue getting food out into the community, bringing people together, and strengthening communities this winter.”
Emma Revie, CEO of Trussell, added: “We are so grateful to Tesco for supporting food banks during this challenging season through the Winter Food Collection. Thank you to Tesco customers for coming out in support of your local food bank, ensuring they can continue helping everyone in your local community facing hunger and hardship this winter.
“Food banks in the Trussell community are a last resort for people who’ve been left facing hunger and hardship. They’re a lifeline, offering a warm welcome and space to be heard. However, with so many people unable to afford the essentials right now, food banks are providing exceptionally high levels of emergency food, with many telling us they are at breaking point. Just over 1.4 million emergency food parcels were provided across the UK by food banks in our community between April and September this year.”*
How to continue supporting FareShare and Trussell
With both charities still in need of support, Tesco customers can donate food at permanent collection points located in every Tesco store or contribute after completing their online shop. Donations can also be made at https://fareshare.donr.com/tesco until February 2025.
