Our story
FareShare South West connect the dots between food poverty and waste from Gloucestershire to Cornwall. Partnering with local food producers like farmers, supermarkets, and manufacturers, they rescue surplus food that might otherwise go to waste. The food could end up as surplus for a variety of reasons – it could be due to overproduction, seasonal shifts, or labelling mistakes – but it is always top-quality and in date.
Their brilliant team of volunteers then sort, pack, and deliver the rescued food to over 400 local charities (more than 160 tonnes of food every month!). These groups, ranging from food banks to schools to recovery houses, provide crucial support to those living in poverty.
An exciting recent initiative by FareShare South West is FareChance, a youth employability program. This innovative program provides practical work experience, mentoring, and formal training to young adults in Bristol who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). The FareShare South West warehouse offers a nurturing space for these young adults to explore their interests, gain valuable skills, and find a career path all while making a positive impact on their community.
Our advice
Whether you can volunteer, donate, or spread the word to friends in the food industry, we need your help! Every contribution is vital in creating a system free of food poverty and food waste. Many amazing people are already making a huge difference, but there's still much to do. With 6 million tonnes of edible food wasted in the UK annually (equivalent to the carbon footprint of 10 million cars) and food poverty rising, we’re calling for more people to join our mission. Visit our website to get in touch!
Our metrics
Tonnes of food saved
Charities reached
Individuals reached
CO2 saved
Meal equivalents
Food value
Food type
