Doing our Fare Share for the Hungry

We have teamed up with FareShare, the national food charity supporting communities to relieve food poverty, to help them serve nutritious meals to disadvantaged people through a number of community centres in Bristol. Starting in January 2008, surplus food that would otherwise be later destined for landfill sites is delivered to a FareShare warehouse in the city. From there it is distributed by volunteer drivers from the charity to breakfast clubs, day centres and hostels for homeless people.

We spoke to Darren Ball, Commercial Manager for Customer Services and Distribution for apetito, Wiltshire Farm Foods' parent company: "We're delighted to support such a worthwhile cause. This should make a big difference to the lives of hundreds of homeless and other vulnerable people, especially through the winter."

He explained: "The food we're providing is subject to the same rigorous tests all our meals undergo."

"There is absolutely nothing wrong with it and every meal we deliver through this partnership has attained our usual high standards. But because, for example, the weight given on the packaging may be slightly incorrect, we can't supply it to our customers."

"We've joined forces with FareShare rather than see it go to waste."

Every week apetito expects to deliver between one and two pallets of stock to the charity's Bristol warehouse, FareShare South West.

Suzie Webster, Project Manager for FareShare South West said "Since we launched in Bristol in October 2007, we've grown phenomenally but this will have a massive impact."

"This is a fantastic gesture and will play a huge part in our plans to expand our services over the next year to homeless people and those suffering through poverty."

At the start of 2008, FareShare South West delivered food to 22 centres in Bristol.

But by the end of the year, with the help of Wiltshire Farm Foods and other organisations, it aims to be delivering to more than 50 outlets.