A charity set up to help alleviate food poverty could soon be extending its services to remote communities across the north-east region.
FareShare Grampian was set up in 2007 as part as the UK-wide initiative to reduce food waste.
Last year the organisation saved 313.23 tonnes of food from being thrown into landfill sites and provided enough meals for 745,802 people throughout the Grampian area.
And with support from other organisations such as the Asda Foundation, the charity wants to build on its progress in the coming year.
Development worker Graeme Robbie said: “Throughout last year’s success we have grown the amount of chilled and high quality goods we can provide. We want to build on that.
“This coming year we hope to buy a new van to transport food further across the area.
“This will increase our geographical scope and hopefully lead to us helping communities further afield like Moray and South Aberdeenshire.”
FareShare Grampian works with local retailers and suppliers to identify surplus food and hand it to vulnerable people in the community. Homeless charity Aberdeen Cyrenians has said the food provided to them through the scheme has helped keep residents alive over winter as well as encouraging people in need to use other support services.
The food redistribution charity has supported 137 organisations and community groups and helped the charity sector make £1,082,300 in savings.
Dave Simmers, CEO of Community Food Initiatives North East (CFINE), which operates FareShare Grampian said: “We have seen increased levels of need in the north-east over recent years, and given the level of complexity of the issues faced, these figures show how FareShare can make a difference.
“Our partners have seen increased usage of their services, and the food generated with support from the food industry, can go a long way to supporting vulnerable individuals, families and communities in Grampian.”
Moray council leader George Alexander said: “It is shameful that we require food banks in Scotland in the 21st century and I hope that national governments are looking at their policies which are causing this need.
“Whilst I am delighted that Fareshare Grampian is hoping to extend its excellent service into Moray, I trust that the managers will have looked at what similar services are already available and that they will collaborate to avoid unnecessary duplication.”
To find out more about FareShare Grampian here.