Macphie / FareShare partnership impact

*The equivalent meals calculation is based on WRAP's guidance around reporting the amounts of surplus food redistributed – find more information here: wrap.org.uk/resources/guide/reporting-amounts-food-surplus-redistributed-weight-and-mealequivalents-wrap

Lily-Anna from Portlethen Academy went on to win Aberdeenshire’s Foundation Apprentice of the Year 2023

Developing the young workforce

Since 2017, we have been partnered with two local secondary schools – Mackie Academy and Mearns Academy – which are both within a 10-mile radius of our main manufacturing site.

With each school, our aim is to inspire careers in the food industry and help prepare young people for the world of work. 2022 saw us return to schools in person following the pandemic.

Support varied from one of our chefs judging a cooking competition and providing one-to-one mentoring with the winner to hosting seven school pupils over seven weeks as they undertook a foundation apprenticeship.

The seven-week programme was part of a food science course and saw the pupils spend time with different areas of our business to ultimately develop their own dessert topping sauce.

Lewis Mowatt, age 16, a pupil at Mackie Academy said: The placement at Macphie provided me with a very insightful look into the food manufacturing industry through first-hand experience.

“It’s been great to learn all the ins-and-outs of such a modern company and I’ve loved having the opportunity to concoct my very own sauce!

“This experience has really benefited me as I will now be able to demonstrate my knowledge of the industry to a future employer, presenting myself as a valuable member of a working team.”

Following a health and safety induction, an introduction to the product design team and lessons in marketing, each apprentice was then tasked with carrying out their own research and creating a new dessert sauce

The pupils spent a full day in the development kitchen cooking up their very own recipes, trialling different ingredients and taking part in group product tastings.

The students were also then taken through quality testing, label creation and finally, they presented their products to our senior team and product panel, who provided the students with important feedback on their concepts.

Robin Christie, Head Teacher at Mearns Academy said:

For several years, staff from Macphie have visited the school regularly to deliver workshops on job skills and are now providing our students with invaluable on-site placements.

“This experiential learning exemplifies all that is good about foundation apprenticeships – the pupils have absolutely loved it and if keen to pursue a career in the industry post-school, should have a massive advantage over others looking to follow a similar path.”