Tesco says thank you to Haverhill people after reaching donation milestone

Haverhill people who have helped to alleviate poverty and reduce food waste have been thanked by Tesco as part of special landmark celebrations.

The supermarket chain has reached the milestone of donating 220 million meals to those in need through its Community Food Connection programme with the food charity FareShare.

To commemorate the occasion, Tesco is paying tribute to the volunteers, community groups and Tesco colleagues who have contributed to the success of the partnership.

Over the years, the partnership has seen the East of England donate 13,187,965 meals.

Matthew Barnes, UK CEO of Tesco, said: “Tesco is immensely proud of its partnership with FareShare and the fantastic achievement of donating 220 million meals over the last 12 years.

“None of this could have been done without the passion, determination and drive of the countless people in places such as Haverhill who have contributed to it, and it is to them that we say a big thank you.

“But the hard work doesn’t stop here. While this is a momentous milestone, we remain committed to partnering with FareShare as we work towards our goal of halving food waste and getting more good food to people.”

One of the groups that has benefited from the Community Food Connection scheme is Free Food, in Haverhill, which has been actively involved in the campaign for three years.

Free Food in Haverhill was initially set up on social media in 2021 to connect local people keen to help prevent food waste.

In the early days founders Matt and Lauren distributed rescued food from their own homes but they soon realised they needed more space and in 2023 opened a permanent hub in a former diner on a local industrial estate.

The team has grown to over 30 volunteers, collecting from their local Tesco stores via the FareShare Go programme.

The hub is currently open from noon to 2pm every day of the week and has created a real community of people all interested in reducing food waste and rescuing good to eat food.

Founder Matt Yarwood said: “We collect between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes of food a week as an organisation and distribute it to the local community. Out of that somewhere in the region of 70 per cent of the food is from a Tesco store and without the support of our local branch we wouldn’t be able to offer anything like as much.

“On average 400 households visit us each week and we know many of them take food for their friends, neighbours and families too, so it’s likely that we are reaching almost a thousand households each week.”

Now in its 12th year, Tesco’s partnership with FareShare sees surplus food from Tesco stores and distribution centres donated to FareShare’s network of charities, community groups and food banks, bringing people together to help alleviate poverty and reduce food waste.

George Wright, CEO of FareShare, said: “FareShare has worked with Tesco since 2012 to help alleviate poverty in the UK by ensuring surplus food within its supply chain is used to feed people and doesn’t end up as waste. Quite simply, FareShare could not do what we do without Tesco’s incredible support.

“The milestone of 220 million meals donated is a testament to all those involved in our partnership with Tesco. These 220 million meals have supported causes across the UK, from local community groups, charities and food banks helping those who need it most.”