Birstall-based Igloo will ‘unlock’ 160,000 additional meals a year for frontline charities in partnership with FareShare Yorkshire. The refrigerated courier specialists have come to the aid of our county’s leading food redistribution charity at a time when record numbers of frontline organisations are turning to FareShare Yorkshire for weekly support.
The award-winning charity marks 25 years of service to the people of Yorkshire this December. Six days a week its volunteers and staff intercept good in-date food that has become surplus to the commercial requirements of over 500 food sites. This, in turn, feeds an average of 36,000 people each week via refuges, shelters, drop-in centres, pantries, special needs projects and many more.
Jonathan Williams, Head of Development said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Igloo. When we explained the rise in need and some of the logistical barriers we were facing, Alistair’s team quickly came back to us with a commitment to install an 18-pallet shipping container in their warehouse. Powered and managed at their expense, this vital extra storage will enable us to accept more surplus frozen foods than ever before. The logistical support we have been offered will make a big difference.”
Despite providing enough food for 4 million meals across 400 frontline services in 2023, FareShare Yorkshire has been contacted by a further 100 organisations in need of support. On a yearly basis each charity and community group served receives an average of 4.5 tonnes of food, which is enough for over 10,000 meals per organisation. Therefore, FareShare Yorkshire is urgently seeking the support of more businesses to prevent waste and feed more people in need through the Cost-of-Living Crisis.
Alistair Turner, CEO of Igloo, said: “Igloo, deeply committed to community welfare, has intensified its collaboration with FareShare Yorkshire, pledging comprehensive support in both storage and distribution needs. This partnership has been instrumental in expanding FareShare Yorkshire’s frozen capacity. With Igloo’s expertise in frozen storage and distribution, FareShare Yorkshire can now access a broader spectrum of food products from various suppliers. The strengthened bond between our two organizations ensures that a more significant quantity of food reaches those in need, especially during these tough times. With our combined efforts, we are going to make a profound difference in the lives of the vulnerable in Yorkshire.”
FareShare Yorkshire has rapidly expanded its operations since 2020 to meet frontline need among cooking charities that in numerous cases are preparing over 100 meals a day as the new norm. The team has expanded from providing one tonne of frozen surplus per month to seventeen tonnes per month and counting because the level of need has intensified to such a degree across Yorkshire. That represents an increase in 38,000 meals per month using frozen food and Igloo’s support has now rapidly increased the charity’s ability to intercept frozen food by a further 33%.
FareShare Yorkshire is about to enter its 26th year of service with a raft of recent awards from the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce Awards, Sheffield Business Awards, South Yorkshire Sustainability Awards and Taste of Yorkshire Awards. Gareth Batty MBE has led the charity for the last 10 years and recently put out a call to all Yorkshire-based growers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers.
“No-one in the food industry wants waste and the current crisis is driving many food businesses to intensify their efforts against this in a whole new way. However, where food and drink does become surplus to commercial requirements in the supply chain, which we know it still does in staggering amounts, we would absolutely urge business leaders to redirect that resource to the most isolated and vulnerable in our communities. Our role is to make that process as quick, safe and simple as possible for companies and charities alike.”
To speak with Gareth and Jonathan about partnering with Yorkshire’s leading food redistribution charity please email [email protected]
