Charity invites public to become a Food Friend and help tackle food poverty

FareShare South West is calling on people from Swindon, Wiltshire and the South West to become Food Friends and help fight food waste and poverty.

FareShare South West says it is launching a new scheme for those most passionate about tackling food waste and food poverty.

The charity says two million people have been pushed into hunger since the pandemic and yet, thousands of tonnes of good-to-eat food is still being thrown away.

FareShare South West's mission is to fight hunger while tackling food waste. They do this by redistributing in-date, good quality, surplus food from right across the food supply chain to frontline charities and organisations who work with the most vulnerable.

Over the last few years, FareShare South West have had to upscale their operations massively. Post pandemic, emergency funding has decreased but the demand for food is said to be bigger than ever.

The Food Friends scheme aims to plug this gap by calling on members of the public who wish to commit to tackling food waste and hunger long term.

By becoming a Food Friend and donating monthly to FareShare South West, an individual can become a part of the solution and ensure that the response to the broken food system is not just a short-term sticking plaster.

Jenny Weld, Supporter Care Officer at FareShare South West, said: “We need to create a food system where surplus is diverted to those who need it as standard. Amidst a climate crisis and rising UK hunger we just can’t let it go to waste. This change is possible. But only with regular support from people who back this change.”

FareShare South West have set up a campaign to recruit their first 200 Food Friends to be part of the scheme. Food Friends are said to be integral to the long-term sustainability of the charity.

Jenny added: “By joining the fight against hunger and food waste, you will be investing in rebuilding a broken food system for good. All while helping break the cycle of food poverty in your local community.”

FareShare South West says: 

£5 a month can cover the fuel costs for a charity partner’s food delivery fortnightly.

£10 a month can save enough food for 480 meals over a year.

£25 a month can keep food in our warehouse fresh for 50 charities and the people they are supporting.

Members of the public can sign up using this link: www.faresharesouthwest.org.uk/foodfriend