FareShare Sussex & Surrey welcomes a Royal visit at Guildford warehouse

His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester visited FareShare Sussex & Surrey’s new warehouse in Guildford on Tuesday and unveiled commemorative plaques on the new fridge and freezers, to mark the charity’s important work to fight hunger and food waste. 

The Duke was joined by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux, FareShare Sussex & Surrey CEO Dan Slatter, the charity’s chair of trustees Johnathan Wilkins and Vice Chair Suzie Maine, as well as staff and volunteers. 

The visit provided an opportunity for His Royal Highness to gain a deeper understanding of FareShare Sussex & Surrey’s impactful work. The Duke went on a tour of the warehouse, participated in volunteer activities and met with the charity’s suppliers and partner organisations. The day concluded with a lunch incorporating surplus food, showcasing the charity’s commitment to reducing food waste. 

Dan Slatter, CEO of FareShare Sussex & Surrey, said: “We are deeply honoured to have had His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester visit our Guildford depot, recognising the fantastic work our volunteers and staff do every day to keep our depot running smoothly and safely. 

“The opening of our new warehouse in Surrey this year allows us to make an even greater impact in our communities, ensuring that nutritious food reaches those who need it most.” 

The Guildford depot, which the charity acquired earlier this year, has tripled its capacity for storing frozen and chilled food. This expansion includes the addition of a frozen van, enabling FareShare Sussex & Surrey to accept and transport larger quantities of surplus food to its partner organisations, which include other charities, community groups, food banks and more.

At the same time, FareShare Sussex & Surrey helps its suppliers reduce their carbon footprint by utilising hundreds of tonnes of surplus food otherwise destined to be wasted, and uses mostly electric vehicles to fuel its mission.

The Surrey hub complements the charity’s operations in Brighton, creating a stronger network for food distribution to help those suffering with food insecurity and food poverty. FareShare Sussex & Surrey rescues and redistributes surplus food to more than 150 local organisations across the counties, helping those who live in areas with the highest levels of deprivation. 

For more information, please visit: www.faresharesussexandsurrey.org.uk. 

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Editors notes

FareShare Sussex & Surrey rescues surplus food from businesses, supermarkets and farms. This food is nutritious, in-date, and safe and includes a high proportion of fresh vegetables, fruit, meat and fish. If the charity did not rescue this food, it would be at risk of going to waste. Instead, they deliver it to charities, schools, food banks, community pantries and fridges and other organisations serving vulnerable people.

In 2022, the charity delivered food for 2.5 million meals supporting 17,370 people a week at risk of food poverty. Food poverty is a huge and growing problem, and 13.4 million people including 4 million children in the UK live in households that struggle to afford to buy enough fruit, vegetables, fish and other healthy foods.