UNSOLD fresh produce from Evesham’s Tesco superstore has provided 24,000 meals to local charities and groups over the past year as the retail giant dramatically slashed the amount of food sent to landfill.
The caring donations has meant a staggering 10 tonnes of food, equivalent to 432 meals per week, has been shared in the local area while nationally Tesco’s policy has meant more than 24 million meals have been served from food which otherwise would have gone to waste.
Tesco promises to not send any food fit for human consumption to landfill so, every evening local groups come and collect fresh food which can be used to feed the hungry or goes into an open larder for those who need a little extra help.
Groups that collect on a regular basis are: Caring Hands in the Vale, who cook and feed over fifty individuals twice a week, The Adventure playground , Wallace House who have an open larder/foodbank and Badsey Freedom café who cook daily for the local commnuinty.
Nick Dawe, Tesco store manager, said: “I am incredibily proud to be a part of a community that can help those in need and stop food waste.’
Diane Bennett from Caring Hands in the Vale, said: “We have had the privilege of being part of the Community Food Connection at Evesham Tesco since it started in August 2016.
“We have been able to use large amounts of fresh fruit, salad and vegetables as well as bakery goods in our drop-in diner, in our Community Pantry and also Foodbank. As well as reducing food waste this has also saved our charity money, which we have been able to spend on other resources and developing the services we provide for those in need in the Vale of Evesham. Thank you Evesham Tesco.”
