How you can help food waste charities
From donating your cooking skills to providing fresh fruit and veg, there are lots of ways you can get involved with cutting down food waste.
Food waste is a major problem in the UK, as it is across the developed world. But a number of charities are committed to tackling the problem at the same time as helping to feed the most vulnerable people in our society.
Here are some of the charities and how you can get involved.
FareShare
FareShare was originally a part of homelessness charity Crisis before it went independent in 2004. Its mission is to distribute surplus ‘fit for purpose’ food from the food and drink industry to organisations, such as homeless shelters and soup kitchens, working with disadvantaged people.
In 2011/12, FareShare says the food it redistributed contributed to providing 8.6 million meals. It now operates from 17 locations across the UK.
You can donate to FareShare’s work by texting ‘fare01’ and then adding the amount you’d like to donate (eg fare01£5) to 70070. Or you can donate online.
If you’d like to volunteer some of your time, you can contact the depot nearest to you, where there are a number of positions from admin to delivery drivers that need filling.
FoodCycle
FoodCycle takes things a stage further by cooking up the surplus food it collects to provide meals.
It currently has 13 hubs around England with food donated by the likes of Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Budgens, Abel & Cole, Planet Organic and London Farmers’ Markets. They also run a community cafe in London, on a ‘pay what you think it’s worth’ basis, in Bromley-by-Bow.
The cooking also allows them to offer the opportunity for volunteers to train in catering.
As well as your time and cooking skills, you can donate money and equipment via the FoodCycle website.
Foodshare
Foodshare encourages local schools, allotments and kitchen gardeners to donate their surplus food to charity. It actually begun life on an allotment in Cambridgeshire but media coverage meant food sharing networks quickly sprung up around the globe.
The involvement of growers means that donated food is not only free but usually straight from the ground.
If you want to become a ‘food philanthropist’, you can find out more at the Foodshare website.
More on cutting down food waste
How a little common sense can help us cut our food waste
How to make the most of leftovers
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