Nottingham charity links with stores to support local community

The charity provides free surplus food from Nottingham Long Eaton Extra and makes it available to people in Nottingham, supporting families in need.

Toton Churches receives food as part of the Community Food Connection surplus food scheme, which involves local Tesco stores and food surplus redistribution charity FareShare.

The Community Food Connection scheme ensures that surplus food from Tesco is given to charities and community groups, whose volunteer members then distribute it to the public. Across the UK it redistributes 2 million meals each month.

Julia Passmore, steward at Toton Methodist Church, said: “We’ve been a long-standing partner of Fareshare GO, and through Tesco's Community Food Connection scheme, have been able to support our community in meaningful ways. Every Monday, with the food provided by Tesco, we are able to prepare a full lunch, feeding up to 45 residents, many of whom are elderly and face challenges like isolation, dementia, and homelessness. This programme has allowed us not only to serve nourishing meals but to foster a warm, welcoming environment that addresses the social needs of our community.

“Our relationship with the Tesco Extra store in Long Eaton has been invaluable. Their team has been a dedicated and supportive partner, helping us make a real difference to our community. We’re deeply grateful for this partnership, which has enriched many lives and strengthened our community ties."

Claire De Silva, Tesco Head of Community, said: “Working with community groups such as Toton Churches to help them get the food they need is such an important service for us to be able to provide. The dedication they have to their community is amazing, and we are pleased to do what we can to support them.

“We firmly believe no good food should go to waste, which is why we began our Community Food Connection scheme. It enables us to ensure our surplus food is put to good use in communities.”

FareShare is the UK’s biggest charity fighting hunger and food waste. Two-thirds of the organisations provides food to support children and families.

Katie Sadler, Head of FareShare Go, said: “The food that Tesco redistributes through FareShare makes a huge difference to people facing food insecurity across the UK.

“We work with thousands of charities and community groups providing essential support to their communities, and receiving a steady stream of food helps them to feed the people who need it most.”

Charities and community groups that could benefit from the support of the Community Food Connection scheme can find further information at https://fareshare.org.uk/getting-food/