Here at Expowest Cornwall we work with a range of sponsors and media partners to put together the show. This year we’re delighted to be working with FareShare South West again.
We’re all aware that times are tough for many at the moment, and their goal of tackling food waste while also fighting hunger is more important than ever. Companies across our sector are working towards doing business in a more sustainable way, as you’ll see in our new ‘Leading in Innovation & Sustainability‘ area, and here at the show we’ve been making changes towards our own goal of making the trade show more sustainable. For example, we no longer use single use plastic bags and plastic wallets at the show.
Did you know that a partnership with FareShare South West can benefit your business as well as your community?
Right now, nearly 14 million people in the UK are struggling to get enough to eat. That’s 1 in 5 of us.
At FareShare South West, they’re addressing this crisis by working with food suppliers across the region to save good-quality, surplus food from landfill, and get it to people in need. Last year, they delivered food for more than three million meals. Working together, they help growers, retailers and manufacturers of all sizes to reach their sustainability goals, motivate staff and customers and fight hunger in their community.
FareShare South West is the region’s biggest food charity. Five days a week, 52 weeks a year, their volunteer van crews deliver hundreds of tonnes of quality surplus food from their warehouses in Bristol and Plymouth to around 400 member charities across the South West.
Members include schools in struggling areas, food banks, homelessness shelters, community centres and many others. Once there, the food is made into meals or distributed as food parcels for people that can’t afford to buy food.
Latest figures from the Food Foundation reveal that 30% children have shared food with a friend at school because they didn’t have enough to eat. Over the last two years, the number of children who experienced food insecurity over the summer holidays increased by more than 25%. Households who are food insecure are more likely to be affected by rising energy costs.
“If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to feed my daughter or myself over the last few months. My bills have gone up so much that I can’t afford to pay everything in one go. Thank you.”
As rates of food poverty soar, millions of tonnes of food are still discarded each year – often even before it hits the shelves. Food becomes surplus for dozens of reasons – from a labelling error to over-production to end of line stock, and everything in between.
At FareShare South West, they take food safety seriously. They adhere to food industry safety guidelines and their warehouse is audited internally and externally to ensure compliance. Their stock control systems mean they can guarantee traceability of every food item we receive and redistribute.
They accept chilled and ambient food (with capacity for frozen coming soon) and make daily collections of food (from small quantities up to full pallets) from suppliers who aren’t able to deliver to their warehouse. Their food partners include Riverford Organic, St. Ewe eggs (375,000 eggs donated and counting!), Trewithen Dairy, the Cornwall Bakery, Tideford Organics, Dartmouth Foods… the list goes on.
“A huge number of our ‘wonky’ pies are collected each week from our kitchens by FareShare South West. We’ve set ourselves some ambitious waste reduction targets and FareShare South West plays a huge part in helping us meet them, while ensuring our pies reach those that need them the most.” Tristan Hogg, Co-founder & CEO, Pieminister.
Already, their fleet of vans delivers to around 50 member charities in Devon and Cornwall – with more than 100 on the waiting list. The demand for emergency food has never been more acute, but they can only accept new members when they know there is food to support them for as long as they need.
“Our delivery from FareShare South West ensures we can get meals to recipients within hours. Many of our referrals tell us that the recipient has not had any food or eaten for some days, therefore, the impact of providing immediate relief is immeasurable.”
To reach more people, they need more food. Get in touch today to find out how they can rescue your surplus food. Giving food is just one way of getting involved- if your company wants to do more to join the fight against food poverty and food waste, they will support you every step of the way!
Whether you are a small business or a large corporation, find out more about how partnering with FareShare South West can help your business stand out at faresharesouthwest.org.uk/support-us/become-a-corporate-partner. Why not come along and see them at the show next month, on Stand G45, and see how they’re changing lives.
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