Thousands of surplus meals are distributed

The release of the total marks the roll-out of the scheme across all of Tesco’s UK stores which are now able to provide surplus food every night. To date more than 20 million meals have been provided to charities and community groups taking part in the scheme, with food for 600,000 meals a week now being provided to good causes across the UK, saving them money which can be used to provide other services.

In Scotland, Tesco’s initiative has seen two million meals donated to local groups including homeless shelters, community centres, breakfast clubs, and groups providing food to vulnerable older people.

The Community Food Connection programme is run in conjunction with FareShare and FoodCloud. Good causes are able to link up with local Tesco stores via an innovative app that allows store teams to alert them to surplus unsold food items available at the end of each day.

Not only does the scheme benefit the community groups involved, but it also prevents unsold food going to waste.

Tony McElroy, the company’s head of communications in Scotland, said: “We know that Community Food Connection is making a real difference to communities in Scotland by providing people in need with meals from food that would otherwise go to waste. Now that all of our stores are taking part in Community Food Connection there are more opportunities than ever for groups to benefit from the free food provided under the scheme.

“I would invite any group that thinks they could benefit from the scheme to contact FareShare, as we have the capacity to help even more good causes.”

Charities and community groups can register for the redistribution scheme online at http://fareshare.org.uk/getting-food/fareshare-go-support/