A north-east supermarket is to donate all of its unsold produce to a local foodbank.
The Peterhead branch of Morrisons has announced the move as other European retailers offer food to the homeless and needy instead of throwing it away.
The retailer has linked up with the Joseph Storehouse, a foodbank run from the port’s Apex Church.
Morrisons’ community champion, Sheena Irvine, said: “We don’t like the idea of good food going to waste and this programme will ensure that we find a home for the small amount of unsold food in our stores.”
Representatives from the foodbank will collect the fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as tinned goods and sealed products, on a weekly basis.
More than 100 Morrisons shops in Yorkshire and the north-east of England trialed similar initiatives last year.
This was extended to all stores during the early part of 2016.
A spokesman for the Joseph Storehouse said: “We are extremely grateful to Morrisons Peterhead for choosing to give its unsold food, which is past its sell-by, date to the Joseph Storehouse.
“The unsold food is distributed to our clients alongside their standard food pack contents.
“It makes a huge difference to people in need in Peterhead and the surrounding areas and is very much appreciated.”
Pastor Neil Cameron, who leads the Apex Church, had used the foodbank to help fish factory workers displaced by a massive fire in the town last year.
The Northbay Pelagic plant was engulfed by a blaze in January 2015, leading to fears that its workforce would be out of work and left hungry.
Northbay later confirmed that its employees futures were safe and is in the process of building new premises off Kirk Square.
