We run FareShare Greater Manchester. We redistribute quality surplus food from the food industry to 250 plus charities and community groups to ensure that meals are provided to those in food poverty. Less food waste means lower carbon emissions, healthier people, and a more resilient community.
Categories
Beneficiaries
Situation
The Greater Manchester Poverty Monitor 2022 reported that around 145,000 children live poverty, representing one in four children and that the number of foodbanks has doubled in 5 years and our survey shows demand for food has risen by 37%. Due to inflation, benefit changes, and wage stagnation, these numbers are rising. Yet over 3 million tonnes of food wasted across the food industry each year is still good-to-eat when it’s discarded.
Solution
We redistribute surplus food to charities and community groups who turn it into meals and help feed people. The groups we provide food to are experts in using it to engage with people who are struggling to cope with life on low, erratic or no incomes and help them address the underlying causes of poverty such as providing additional services or referrals for debt advice to help with household costs like fuel. In 2023 our volunteers gave 21,199 hours of their time, serving 4.6 million meals.
