FareShare Sussex & Surrey calls for Tesco Food Collection volunteers as food insecurity rises

FareShare Sussex & Surrey is urgently calling for volunteers to support the Tesco Food Collection this November.

The appeal comes as food insecurity continues to rise, with a dozen community projects now on the first waiting list for the charity’s membership scheme since the pandemic.

From Thursday 26 to Saturday 28 November, FareShare Sussex & Surrey aims to collect 15 tonnes of food – 50% more than the 10 tonnes gathered over the same three days last year.

The donations will support local families through the festive period and winter. According to The Food Foundation, almost one in eight UK households are now food insecure, which rises to one in six households with children. *

Dan Slatter, CEO at FareShare Sussex & Surrey, said: “Winter is when the pressure on families ramps up, as they juggle higher energy bills alongside food costs and everyday expenses. Our Tesco Food Collection is one of the simplest ways to make a real difference on your own doorstep.

“We know shoppers are four times more likely to donate when there’s a friendly face in store to explain where their food is going – we see four times more food donated when there are volunteers. Every three-hour shift helps us provide around 300 meals for those in need.”

The Tesco Food Collection relies on community support, and FareShare Sussex & Surrey is encouraging people to volunteer together in groups, whether that be with family, friends or colleagues.

Steven, who volunteers at Tesco Haslemere, said: “Volunteering at the collection has become an annual tradition for my friend and I over the last three years.

“We enjoy the banter with local shoppers doing their weekly shop, chatting about where their donated food goes and the people it helps. We watch the trolleys fill with donations, knowing it will make a proper difference for local families.”

Sophie, a student who volunteered for the first time last year, said: “I am so excited to sign up again. Last year I was so surprised by the kindness of the public – one person donated their entire food shop to us! It really shows just how much people care about supporting their community.”

Volunteers can choose from four three-hour slots between 9am and 9pm across the participating stores, which are in Burgess Hill, Crawley, Gatwick, Guildford, Haslemere, Hove, Lewes, Portslade and Shoreham. Last year, 150 volunteers took part.

In 2025/26, FareShare Sussex & Surrey provided the equivalent of 4.55 million meals, supporting 32,090 people every week through 279 charity and community groups. Its work was powered by 683 volunteers, who gave 34,824 hours of their time.

To sign up to volunteer at a participating store, visit: https://felix.org/get-involved/volunteering/tesco-food-collection

For more information, please visit: https://faresharesussexandsurrey.org.uk/

*Source: The Food Foundation: https://foodfoundation.org.uk/press-release/food-insecurity-affecting-one-eight-households-uk

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Editors notes

About FareShare Sussex & Surrey

FareShare Sussex & Surrey rescues surplus, good-to-eat food from businesses, supermarkets, manufacturers and farms. This food is nutritious, in-date and safe, including fresh vegetables, fruit, dairy, meat and more.

Without FareShare Sussex & Surrey, this food would go to waste. Instead, it’s redistributed to day centres, schools, shelters, refuges, community fridges and other frontline organisations across Sussex and Surrey.

Food poverty is a serious and worsening issue. Latest available estimates show that 10.2% of people in Sussex live in income deprivation, higher than the South East average, with food insecurity continuing to rise as households face ongoing financial pressures.

In 2025/26, FareShare Sussex & Surrey:

• Saved and redistributed 1,910 tonnes of surplus food
• Provided the equivalent of 4.55 million meals to people facing hunger
• Supported 32,090 people each week via 279 charity and community partners
• Helped partners save £13.9 million in food costs
• Saved 3,553 tonnes of CO₂e – the same as 2,200 flights from London to New York
• Was powered by 683 volunteers, who donated 34,824 hours of their time

Every £1 invested in FareShare Sussex & Surrey delivers £13.30 in social value.

www.faresharesussexandsurrey.org.uk