Ulster Unionist Party representative for East Antrim, Roy Beggs MLA has praised the new food partnership between Asda and the food redistribution charity Fareshare, following his site visit to Asda’s main NI distribution site in Larne.
Roy Beggs MLA said “I was pleased to learn of the benefits of the FareShare partnership scheme in which pristine food which had been over supplied to Asda’s NI distribution centre in Larne is donated to the food charity, FareShare. I would urge local charities in Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey to investigate the benefits of the FareShare scheme so that local East Antrim people can also benefit from the scheme.
In the past because of logistical issues such as the cost of collection, over supplied food may have simply gone to waste. Now Asda, with the support of their suppliers are redistributing surplus deliveries to the food charity FareShare. The food is collected and taken to the FareShare Belfast centre for distribution to charities throughout NI who register with them.”
It has been estimated that during the year this will result in 138,000 meals being provided through charities to those most vulnerable and in addition some 58 tonnes of 1st class food being diverted from land fill sites.
In addition, the Asda Foundation will be donating £100,000 to FareShare’s UK-wider operation, to grow their depot space and invest in key areas – including transportation and logistics.
Throughout the UK the FareShare Community Food Network includes over 900 local charities and organisations which receive FareShare food and other support. Eg. hostels, day centers, breakfast clubs, pension lunch clubs women’s refuges, after school clubs.
Meabh Austin, FareShare’s development officer added “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Asda on this groundbreaking initiative. It means we can provide more food to more charities, enabling us to feed even more people at a time of real need.”
“Diverting food away from the waste stream will have an immense environmental impact and it will also help local charities save many thousands of pounds a year – funds which the can reinvest into providing additional support services for those most in need.”
The FareShare depot in Belfast can be contacted via their website of by phoning 028 9033 2230.
