Around 400,000 tonnes of food goes to waste in Wales each year, much of it still good to eat. If just 1% of that was saved, it could be used to provide over 9 million meals—enough to provide three meals to every person in Wales. Simultaneously, a quarter of the population of Wales is facing poverty and struggling to access quality, nutritious food. Thousands of people across the country are experiencing food insecurity and are regularly going hungry.
FareShare Cymru was established in 2010 and delivers surplus, good to eat food that might otherwise go to waste to charities and community groups in every corner of Wales. Today FareShare Cymru has distributed tonnes of surplus food to a network of groups and organisations across Wales that provide food and other essential services to people in need. From cookery classes and lunch clubs in community centres, to school breakfast clubs, stocking the shelves of community pantries and providing hearty meals in homelessness shelters, food redistributed by FareShare Cymru is used by charities in a variety of ways. It enables these groups to bring people together and continue offering their essential support services.
However, despite these efforts, the demand for their services continues to rise. Over 200 charities are currently on their waiting list, underscoring the critical need for more surplus food donations. FareShare Cymru estimates an additional 60 tonnes of food per month are required to meet current demands.
For businesses in the food and drink industry looking to make a meaningful impact, FareShare Cymru offers the Surplus with Purpose Cymru fund. This fund aims to make the process of donating surplus food easier by helping businesses cover costs associated with labour, packaging, freezing, harvesting, and transporting food. Whether it’s due to labeling errors, excess stock nearing its best-before date, or other surplus challenges, we can accept surplus of all kinds and ensure no additional costs are faced by the business. Accessing the fund presents an opportunity to not only reduce waste but also fulfill corporate social responsibility objectives, improve environmental footprints, and make a tangible difference to welsh communities.
What’s in it for businesses? By donating surplus food and accessing the Surplus with Purpose Cymru fund, food businesses can significantly reduce their environmental impact while making a tangible difference in Welsh communities. Moreover, they can enhance their corporate social responsibility profiles and contribute to the fight against food insecurity.
FareShare Cymru continues to advocate for a future where surplus food becomes a solution rather than a problem, ensuring that every meal reaches those who need it most. To learn more about how your business can contribute to reducing food waste and fighting hunger through Surplus with Purpose Cymru, visit FareShare Cymru’s Surplus with Purpose or email swp@fareshare.cymru.
