FareShare

A UK-based charity redistributing surplus food to reduce food waste and alleviate hunger.

FareShare UK logo

FareShare is a UK-based charity that focuses on redistributing surplus food to charities and community groups, thereby reducing food waste and alleviating hunger. Established in 1994, FareShare works with the food industry to source surplus food that would otherwise go to waste and redistributes it to frontline charities and community groups across the UK.

History

FareShare was founded in 1994 as a partnership between Sainsbury's and the homeless charity Crisis. Initially, the organization aimed to address the issue of food waste while providing meals to those in need. Over the years, FareShare has expanded its operations and now works with a wide range of food suppliers, including manufacturers, retailers, and farmers.

Operations

FareShare operates through a network of regional centers across the UK. These centers receive surplus food from various sources, including supermarkets, food manufacturers, and farms. The food is then sorted and redistributed to a network of charities and community groups that provide meals to vulnerable people.

Food Sourcing

FareShare sources food from a variety of partners in the food industry. This includes surplus stock from manufacturers, unsold food from retailers, and excess produce from farms. The organization works closely with its partners to ensure that the food is safe and suitable for redistribution.

Distribution Network

The distribution network of FareShare consists of regional centers that act as hubs for receiving and distributing food. These centers are staffed by a combination of paid employees and volunteers who help with sorting, packing, and delivering food to local charities.

Impact

FareShare's work has a significant impact on both reducing food waste and alleviating hunger. By redistributing surplus food, the organization helps to prevent edible food from ending up in landfills, thereby reducing the environmental impact of food waste. Additionally, the food provided by FareShare supports charities and community groups in feeding vulnerable populations, including the homeless, elderly, and low-income families.

Challenges

Despite its successes, FareShare faces several challenges. These include logistical issues related to the collection and distribution of food, as well as the need for ongoing funding and support from both the public and private sectors. The organization also works to raise awareness about the issue of food waste and the importance of food redistribution.

Related pages

• Food waste
• Food bank
• Sustainability
• Charity (practice)