SPAR UK wholesaler Appleby Westward Ltd in the South West has teamed up with FareShare to help tackle food waste and provide meals to people in need. This partnership, which also involves Gregory’s Logistics, has already made a big difference across the region. Since the collaboration began in early 2024, more than 32,000 meals have been delivered to local charities and community groups. These meals, made from 10.2 tonnes of surplus food, have reached around 54,000 people in need.
A Partnership to Fight Food Waste and Hunger
SPAR UK’s wholesaler in the South West, Appleby Westward Ltd, partnered with FareShare South West to help reduce food waste and support local communities. FareShare South West is part of the larger FareShare network, which is the UK’s biggest food redistribution charity. Their goal is to take surplus food that would otherwise go to waste and get it to people who need it the most.
Appleby Westward Ltd’s partnership with FareShare focuses on distributing food to more than 380 local charities, schools, and community groups. Through this collaboration, food that is still safe to eat but can no longer be sold is given a second life. Instead of being thrown away, it is sent to places where it can make a real difference, like food banks, shelters, and children’s programs.
The success of this partnership is also supported by Gregory’s Logistics, which helps transport the food from Appleby Westward Ltd to FareShare’s network. Thanks to this teamwork, thousands of people in the region are now benefiting from meals made with surplus food.
32,000 Meals Delivered So Far
Since the partnership began at the start of 2024, an impressive 32,000 meals have been distributed throughout the region. That’s the equivalent of 10.2 tonnes of food that could have ended up as waste, but instead, it was turned into nutritious meals for people in need.
These meals have gone to local charities and community groups that help people facing food insecurity. Many of these groups focus on supporting vulnerable families, the elderly, and individuals who are struggling to make ends meet.
During the school summer holidays, the food donated by Appleby Westward Ltd was also sent to over 50 children’s activity groups. These groups were set up to support families who were at risk of food poverty, making sure that children had access to healthy meals during the break from school.
Supporting Local Communities
FareShare South West sources surplus food from local food suppliers and gets it to over 380 charities and community groups. The food donated by Appleby Westward Ltd is helping to feed people in need across the region, including children, the elderly, and individuals facing tough times.
The impact of this partnership has been especially significant during the summer, when many families who rely on free school meals find it difficult to provide enough food for their children. By redistributing surplus food to children’s activity groups, the partnership has helped make sure that these families don’t go hungry during the holidays.
Reducing Food Waste
This partnership isn’t just about feeding people in need—it’s also helping to reduce food waste. Across the UK, large amounts of food that are still good to eat are often thrown away because they can no longer be sold. This could be due to packaging issues, short shelf life, or overproduction.
By working with FareShare, SPAR UK wholesaler Appleby Westward Ltd is ensuring that this surplus food doesn’t go to waste. Instead, it’s used to help people who are struggling to put food on the table. Michal Czynienik, Trading Manager at Appleby Westward Ltd, is proud of the partnership’s success in both reducing waste and supporting local communities.
A Positive Impact on Local Charities
Many local charities depend on partnerships like this to keep their food supplies stocked. Without the surplus food provided by Appleby Westward Ltd and FareShare, these organizations would find it much harder to provide the meals and support that so many people rely on.
For the 241 charities and community groups that have already benefited from the food donated by Appleby Westward Ltd, this partnership is making a huge difference. The ability to provide meals means that they can continue their important work, whether that’s helping the homeless, supporting struggling families, or running after-school programs for kids.
Looking to the Future
Michal Czynienik, Trading Manager at Appleby Westward Ltd, shared his excitement about the partnership’s success so far and the potential for even more impact in the future. He commented:
“We are delighted with how well our collaboration is going. The number of equivalent meals we have been able to provide is amazing, as is the impact this has had on the recipients. It is great to be able to support the local community in this way and, at the same time, reduce food waste. I am very excited about the future of the partnership and reaching our next significant milestone.”
This positive outlook shows that the partnership between SPAR UK wholesaler Appleby Westward Ltd and FareShare is just the beginning. There are still many opportunities to continue growing and expanding the program, helping even more people across the region.
Why This Partnership Matters
This partnership highlights how important it is for businesses and charities to work together to tackle food waste and hunger. It’s a win-win situation: businesses like Appleby Westward Ltd can reduce their food waste, and charities can use that surplus food to provide meals for people in need.
FareShare’s work is crucial in connecting these two sides. By acting as the link between food suppliers and charities, FareShare ensures that surplus food reaches the people who need it the most. This prevents good food from being wasted and helps combat food poverty at the same time.
How FareShare Helps Communities
FareShare South West is part of the larger FareShare network, which operates across the UK. FareShare collects surplus food from food producers, supermarkets, and other businesses and redistributes it to charities and community groups. These organizations then use the food to provide meals to people who might otherwise go hungry.
FareShare South West supports over 380 local charities, including food banks, shelters, and school programs. These charities help people who are facing tough times, whether due to unemployment, homelessness, or other challenges. By providing them with food, FareShare ensures that these organizations can focus on their core mission: helping people in need.
Conclusion
The partnership between SPAR UK wholesaler Appleby Westward Ltd, FareShare South West, and Gregory’s Logistics is a powerful example of how businesses can make a positive impact on their communities. By working together, they are tackling food waste and providing thousands of meals to people who need them.
Since the partnership began in early 2024, the results have been remarkable. 32,000 meals have already been distributed, and there’s potential for even more in the future. With continued dedication, this collaboration will only grow stronger, helping even more charities, families, and communities across the South West.
As this partnership continues to thrive, it stands as a shining example of how businesses and charities can work together for the greater good—reducing food waste, supporting local communities, and feeding those in need.
