Reducing Waste, Tackling Hunger

Every year in the UK, millions of tonnes of perfectly edible food are discarded while many people face food insecurity. FareShare and Rethink Food are two key organisations working to address this paradox by redistributing surplus food from the food industry to those in need.

FareShare Yorkshire

FareShare is the UK's largest food redistribution charity, specialising in getting surplus food from the food industry to charities and community groups. FareShare Yorkshire serves food aid projects across Leeds and throughout Yorkshire.

24,500 tonnes of food redistributed annually
10,500+ charities supported
53 million meals provided

Rethink Food

Rethink Food is an education-focused organisation tackling food waste and hunger. They redistribute food that would otherwise be wasted to schools and communities while providing educational programmes teaching sustainable and responsible food consumption.

350+ participating schools
750,000+ meals provided
1,000 tonnes of food waste reduced

How to Partner with FareShare

FareShare works with all parts of the food industry to receive surplus food that is safe to eat but cannot be sold commercially. Here's how businesses and organisations can partner with FareShare:

Food Producers and Manufacturers

If you're a food producer or manufacturer, you can donate:

  • Overproduced food
  • Products with incorrect packaging or labelling
  • Products that don't meet specifications but are perfectly edible
  • Seasonal or promotional surplus stock
  • Products close to but not past their best before date

FareShare has a professional logistics network and cold chain facilities that can handle all types of food, including fresh, chilled and frozen.

Retailers and Wholesalers

Supermarkets, wholesalers and distribution centres can donate:

  • Surplus food from distribution centres
  • Returned orders
  • Seasonal changeover stock
  • Products undergoing packaging changes
  • Food approaching its best before date

FareShare can arrange regular collections from your distribution centre or handle one-off large donations.

Farms and Growers

Farms and growers can donate:

  • Produce that doesn't meet retail specifications for shape or size
  • Harvest surplus
  • Cancelled orders
  • Crops where market price is below picking cost

FareShare can arrange direct collection from farms, quickly distributing fresh produce to communities in need.

Donation Process

  1. Contact FareShare

    Call FareShare Yorkshire on 0113 3760 372 or email yorkshire@fareshare.org.uk to discuss the types and quantities of food you can provide.

  2. Food Assessment

    The FareShare team will assess whether your food meets distribution requirements and discuss logistics.

  3. Sign Agreement

    If partnership is confirmed, a donation agreement will be signed establishing donation frequency and handling arrangements.

  4. Arrange Collection or Delivery

    FareShare can use its own fleet to collect food or you can arrange delivery to FareShare's warehouse.

  5. Food Redistribution

    Food will be sorted and distributed to various community organisations and food aid projects across Leeds and surrounding areas.

Rethink Food's Work

Rethink Food tackles food waste and insecurity through innovative approaches, with particular focus on education and sustainability. Here are their main programmes:

School Food Programme

Rethink Food works with schools in Leeds and other areas to provide:

  • Food boxes containing perfectly edible food that would otherwise be wasted
  • Schools can use this food to prepare meals or distribute to families in need
  • Food education lessons teaching students about food systems and the importance of reducing waste

Community Food Hubs

Rethink Food operates community food hubs where:

  • Surplus food is collected from supermarkets, restaurants and food businesses
  • It is redistributed to community members, particularly families in need
  • Cooking classes are held teaching how to prepare healthy meals using various ingredients
  • Food waste is reduced while addressing community food insecurity

Education Programmes

Rethink Food provides comprehensive educational resources:

  • School curricula teaching about food systems, nutrition and sustainability
  • Teacher training to help educators incorporate food education
  • Workshops on food waste and sustainability
  • School food growing and cooking projects

Case Study: Leeds Supermarket Food Rescue Programme

The food rescue programme run by FareShare Yorkshire and Rethink Food with several Leeds supermarkets demonstrates how these organisations work together to tackle food waste and hunger:

  • Daily collection of surplus food from 20+ supermarkets
  • Efficient collection routes and cold chain systems established
  • Distribution to 30+ community organisations and schools
  • Approximately 10 tonnes of food saved from waste each month
  • Supporting over 2,000 individuals in need weekly

Through this innovative partnership model, surplus food is quickly redistributed to those in need while reducing carbon footprint.

Win-Win for Businesses and Charities

Partnering with FareShare and Rethink Food offers multiple benefits:

Environmental Benefits

  • Reduces landfill waste
  • Lowers greenhouse gas emissions
  • More efficient use of resources

Economic Benefits

  • Reduced Waste Disposal Costs
  • Reduced Inventory Management Costs
  • Potential Tax Benefits

Social Benefits

  • Supporting Local Communities
  • Meeting CSR Goals
  • Improving Employee Engagement and Satisfaction

Brand Benefits

  • Enhancing Brand Reputation
  • Aligning with the SDGs
  • Demonstrating Corporate Values