38
THE GIVING CHALLENGE PRIZES: WASTE REDUCTION CHALLENGE
PROJECT NAME ORGANISATION /GROUP
FOOD CONNECTION PROGRAMME FARESHARE AND FOODCYCLE www.fareshare.org.uk/food–access
The Food Connection Programme connects small grassroots community organisations with supermarkets to rescue surplus food to prepare nutritious meals for the vulnerable, socially isolated and hungry. Fareshare and Foodcycle are food connectors with intimate knowledge of supermarket systems, facilitating access to untapped surplus food for local community organisations. FareShare and FoodCycle are creating a framework to empower local communities to collect surplus food in an effective, safe and efficient way that can be replicated across the country.
Innovation This is an unprecedented collaboration; with supermarkets adapting operating culture’s to access food wasted at the back of store and connect it with disadvantaged people. Local supermarkets and charities are working closer together strengthening local community links. Three key elements: Certification – providing voluntary organisations with a permit to show they have suitable facilities to receive surplus food. Connection – linking up potential organisations with their local store that has bought into the scheme. Education – both of the retailers, on appropriate storage of surplus food for collection, and charities on receipt and preparation of short life food.
