Surrey businesses urged to join fight against food poverty

FareShare Sussex & Surrey is calling on businesses across Surrey to donate their surplus food to help combat hunger and feed those most in need in the county.

Following the opening of its new warehouse in Guildford, the charity is seeking to expand its network in Surrey by partnering with food businesses of all sizes who can help through one-off or regular donations of surplus food.

FareShare Sussex & Surrey works with farms, wholesalers, manufacturing and other food business partners to redistribute surplus food to local organisations across the two counties which serve those struggling to afford to eat.

Dan Slatter, the charity’s CEO, emphasised the growing need to support communities in areas of Surrey which are often overlooked, where levels of inequality are high.

He said: “Despite having a reputation as a wealthy county, Surrey has pockets of severe deprivation. We know there are areas where the number of families with single parents, those claiming disability benefits and people who are not in employment, education or training are higher than the national average, and areas where childhood obesity is over 41% - the highest in the country.

“We’re calling on businesses in the county to help us tackle food poverty and food insecurity by donating food that would otherwise go to waste, either through one-off or regular donations. Our team ensures the process is quick, flexible and straightforward, and there is no charge for us to collect your surplus produce.

“Businesses which join us as a supplier, benefit by reducing their waste and their carbon footprint, and by helping us feed those experiencing hunger in our communities.”  

FareShare Sussex & Surrey accepts surplus fresh, frozen, ambient and chilled food and drink, including food to go (such as sandwiches and salads), bulk ingredients, catering packs and unfinished products. Local suppliers who have already made donations include ReNourish, KFC, Nando’s, Brakes, Costco Farnborough and Monty’s Bakehouse.

The charity offers a free and flexible service where food businesses can either deliver stock to their Guildford warehouse, located near the A3, A23 and M25, or arrange a collection through its dedicated team of staff members and volunteers.

Matt Carter, sustainability manager at Higgidy, a leading supplier based in West Sussex, praised the charity’s efficiency.

He said: “We are extremely proud to support FareShare Sussex & Surrey. Their team makes the logistics of donating our surplus food incredibly efficient and straightforward. Knowing our donations directly benefit local communities is very important to us.”

In the past year, FareShare Sussex & Surrey has redistributed more than 1,000 tonnes of food across the two counties, helping to feed 16,650 vulnerable people each week, all whilst saving food which would otherwise be at risk of going to waste.

The charity redistributes food to other charities and community groups, including day centres, homeless shelters, supported housing, refuges, food banks and other organisations supporting vulnerable people, including young parents and the elderly.

One beneficiary is Knaphill Community Fridge in Woking in Surrey, which provides an open-access foodbank to their village community.

Founder and coordinator Jules Hopkins said: "The food that FareShare Sussex & Surrey supplies us weekly is always top-quality and fresh. This ensures we can consistently offer healthy and nutritious food to those who need it to help get them out of food poverty.”

Food businesses interested in supporting FareShare Sussex & Surrey can get in touch via email on: givefood@faresharesussexandsurrey.org.uk or call food supply manager George Shaw directly on 07546 704 219.

For more information, please visit: https://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.