Sainsbury's Supports FareShare in Aberdeen and Edinburgh

Sainsbury's stores in Aberdeen and Blackhall, Edinburgh are among 19 of the retailer's outlets taking part in an Innovative supermarket trial to help battle growing food poverty this weekend.

Sainsbury's is launching its food drive with the FareShare initiative, following research from the organisation which shows that 40% of community charities are struggling to meet demand for food.

As such, at 19 Sainsbury's stores across the country, customers will be able to add an extra item to their shopping, which will then be delivered to local community projects by FareShare.

Should the trial prove successful, it could be rolled out to more stores making it easier for customers to donate food on an ongoing basis.

Lindsay Boswell, chief executive of FareShare, said: "At a time of severe economic hardship, we are seeing unprecedented and increasing demand for food donations. We are highlighting the issue to encourage the food industry and the general public to increase their support."

Sainsbury's retail and logistics director, Roger Burnley, commented: "The food we donate to FareShare tends to be fresh produce as this has the shortest shelflife.

"However, to make a nutritious meal, you need more than just fresh food, which is why we would like to give customers the opportunity to donate store cupboard items through this unique trial."

FareShare is a national food charity that addresses hunger in the UK by redistributing quality surplus food from the food industry to people who need it.

Sainsbury's has been working with FareShare since 1994 but this is the first time customers are being asked to actively take part.

Lindsay added: "FareShare is a cost-effective solution to the food industry's surpluses. With more people than ever needing help just to eat, and the squeeze on charities and other organisations to provide food, we need more food companies to follow the example of companies like Sainsbury's which last year provided us with enough food to provide 1 million meals.

"The tough economic climate is impacting everyone. But by adding a single packet of rice, or one bag of sugar to the weekly shop donated to us during this trial, Sainsbury's customers will be making an enormous difference to our ability to support hungry and vulnerable people in their area with healthy and nutritious food."

FareShare provides the food to feed more than 35,000 people a day, up from 29,000 last year, having recorded the largest increase in the number of charities desperate for its food, up from 600 to 700. It does so by using good food that would otherwise have been thrown away.

FareShare is unique in that it secures surplus, fit-to-eat food from the food industry and redistributes it to community charities helping those in need, saving them nearly £8 million per year in food and other costs.

The trial, which takes place in 19 Sainsbury's stores across the UK, begins today (Friday July 8th) and will continue until Sunday.

Customers can choose from a variety of suggested items, which are purchased as normal and left with the cashier at the till to be distributed at the end of the trial.

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