CFA continues to show its commitment to sustainability with the news that, since 2017, its members have redistributed more than 29 million meals.
These were primarily chilled ready meals, sandwiches, desserts, sandwich fillers, pies, soups and sauces. Redistribution of such large quantities is made possible through CFA members’ partners including FareShare and the UK’s largest redistributor of surplus food – Company Shop. Some meals were sold in CFA members’ staff shops at a discounted price.
FareShare passes on the food to charities and community groups that provide to those in need, and Company Shop resells to its members, which include NHS employees, members of the armed forces and those in receipt of means-tested benefits, providing them with access to low-cost food, advice, mentoring and support. They also operate Community Shop, a social enterprise that helps people living in deprived areas.
Dr Rachel Hackett, chair of CFA’s Sustainable Development Working Group explains “We are especially proud of our success in this field. Not just because of the quantities of meals but due to the nature of the foods involved. The short shelf life of chilled food means that it has to be distributed as soon as possible to retain its safety and quality making it a fast-moving and highly time-sensitive operation.”
October 2022