Waitrose has diverted the equivalent of ten million meals of surplus food through its partnership with charity FareShare.
Through its stores, customer fulfilment and distribution centres throughout the UK, Waitrose has committed to reducing its food waste by redistributing perfectly good to eat surplus to FareShare.
More than 300 Waitrose stores redistribute surplus food daily via FareShare Go, which links local charities and community groups with their nearest store. The charities collect food in-store, usually items such as bread, fruit and vegetables, which they turn into food parcels or meals for people in the community.
Waitrose distribution centres in Enfield and Greenford also deliver high quality food, including meat, fish, dairy, fruit and vegetables, to six of FareShare’s nearby warehouses. This food is then is distributed to more than 700 charities and community projects working with people in need.
Through its Farm to Family programme, Waitrose has worked with some of its biggest suppliers to divert surplus food to families in need through FareShare. More than 1,000 tonnes of surplus fruit, vegetables, meat and eggs have already been supplied to FareShare through this initiative.
Sarah Dayanada, Sustainability & Ethics Manager at Waitrose, said: “Everyone deserves access to fresh, quality food, and our partnership with FareShare helps make this happen.
"We’re thrilled to be marking this milestone and are grateful to our fantastic Partners, customers and volunteers who've made it possible.
"We look forward to building on this success, preventing food waste and getting items to those who need it most.”
Lindsay Boswell, Chief Executive at FareShare, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Waitrose for their continued partnership and commitment to reducing the needless waste of good food right across its supply chain.
“With the increase in living costs, there are thousands of people struggling to make ends meet right across the UK. Thanks to Waitrose, the Farm to Family programme has provided us with high quality fruit and veg, while more than 300 of its stores redistribute end of day surplus to thousands of charities supporting people in need.”