FareShare and Forres Tesco offering free food to more local groups
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A NATIONAL supermarket chain is offering free fresh food to local groups.
Forres Tesco is part of the FareShare scheme, ensuring surplus food within its supply chain is used to reduce food waste and support local organisations including Kinloss Crafty Cool Kids Club (KCCKC), Forres Academy and Moray Lets.
And Tesco Community Champion Kerry Speed is calling for more people to take advantage of the give-away.
She said: "FareShare is a seven day-a-week scheme offering any foods in our fresh departments including bread, fruit, veg' and eggs.
"Every night at 7.15pm, we send a text to FareShare who send texts to groups who then reply whether or not they would like that evening's donation.
"However, we need more participation!"
KCCKC use FareShare deliveries for snacks, soup, arts, crafts and role-play.
A spokesperson said: "We are so grateful for all the food recovery donations we have received. The children love our delivery day as we always receive a good variety of items. We use them for snacks and sometimes to make our own soup, for arts, crafts and role play in our mud kitchen.
"Families that we support also benefit from our donations as we regularly offer them items too.
"As a registered charity, it really has made such a difference as it means we are able to spend money on other things for the club."
New Moray Lets have been using the Foodshare scheme now for over a year.
Member Frances Jamieson said: "We are a community group which uses 'lets' instead of cash, to trade goods and services. We have over 100 members and hold regular trading events, as well as producing a quarterly directory of services.
"We have a slot to collect from Tesco on one night a week. I collect the food, and then members come and chose what they want. The food is used by members who need a little extra help, or for community get-togethers and social events.
"The scheme is a great way to ensure that excess produce isn't wasted. Giving it to community groups ensures that it is used well."
Chief Executive of FareShare, Lindsay Boswell, believes Tesco has demonstrated real leadership in tackling food waste.
She said: "Tesco’s level of commitment to using their surplus food for social good, has helped provide millions of meals for people across the UK."
Applications should be made to fsgrampian@fareshare.org.uk
