An Aberdeen charity has redistributed enough surplus food over the past year to create almost a million meals for vulnerable people.
FareShare Grampian, which is run by Community Food Initiatives North East (CFINE), receives in-date food from producers, retailers and the general public before passing it on to charities to make meals and supply those most in need.
At the moment, more than 160 local frontline charities and community groups, including homeless organisations, women’s refuges and breakfast clubs for disadvantaged children, are benefiting from the scheme.
Graeme Robbie, a CFINE development worker at FareShare Grampian, said: “We’re generating enough food for more than 964,000 meals for vulnerable people every year.
“It’s an incredible achievement and one that wouldn’t be possible without the support of our incredible volunteers, and, of course, the support and donations from our suppliers, corporate [donors] and general public.
“The FareShare produce we distribute is surplus because of overproduction or packaging errors, never because it’s out of date. In fact, the food is extremely high quality.”
One organisation receiving food from the scheme is Aberdeen Cyrenians, a charity which has been providing help for nearly 50 years to homeless people and those experiencing extreme hardship.
Jenna Ingram, their volunteer coordinator, said: “We receive large quantities of fresh food which we can give in food parcels and prepare hot meals with for our vulnerable service user group.
“It helps us save funds where we would otherwise have to purchase meat and vegetables.
“This support is especially important for our volunteer-led Street Alternatives service where we offer hot three-course meals to those sleeping rough and those who do not have access to cooking facilities.
“Food donations are invaluable in meeting this basic need, but also for bringing people in to access our other support services.”
However, demand is still increasing and with a growing list of charities in need of food, the charity is appealing to more food producers, suppliers and catering companies to donate their surplus produce.
For further information on how to get involved, please contact FareShare Grampian on 01224 596156 or visit
