In the space of just two years, Cranswick’s Continental Foods site, based in Bury, has helped the equivalent of more than 800,000 meals to those who need it most.
Cranswick, one of the UK’s leading fresh food producers, has provided over 300 tonnes of excess stock to the UK’s leading food redistribution charity FareShare. To do this, the company accesses the charity’s ‘Surplus with Purpose’ scheme, which works to cover the extra costs of redistributing unsold food that is still good to eat, preventing it going to waste.
It is from Cranswick’s Bury site that they package up the food that cannot be used which is then collected by FareShare ready for sending out.
They are not the only business backing the cause, with their insurer NFU Mutual also proud to continue throwing its support behind the campaign.
Since 2021, the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust has backed FareShare’s fight against food poverty and has donated a total of £350,000 to the charity.
Beth Pritchard, Community Engagement Consultant at NFU Mutual, said: “As the leading rural insurer, we have been championing the opportunity for growers and producers to support the surplus with purpose scheme to help ensure excess produce is redistributed to those who really need it – as NFU Mutual is proud to be a long-standing supporter of FareShare.
“We applaud the whole team at Cranswick for their outstanding effort in supporting the work FareShare does to alleviate food poverty in our communities.”
Cranswick started accessing the ‘Surplus with Purpose’ scheme with FareShare in April 2022. A selection of foods including salami, prosciutto, cheese and pepperoni are redistributed – products which are a rich source of high-quality protein and nutrients, such as iron, which is essential for a healthy and balanced diet.
Adam Bower, Head of Sustainability & ESG at Cranswick plc, said: “Food redistribution makes a crucial difference by reducing food waste, alleviating hunger, and fostering economic stability within our communities.
“By ensuring surplus food reaches those in need, it promotes sustainability, improves health outcomes, and strengthens social bonds through collaborative efforts.
“Ultimately, it embodies our commitment to creating a more equitable and resilient society for all.”
FareShare is the UK’s largest food redistribution charity and the ‘Surplus with Purpose’ scheme supports businesses across the food industry from growers to manufacturers and wholesalers.
Kirsty Ford, Head of Fundraising at FareShare, said: “We are hugely grateful to NFU Mutual for their ongoing support and to Cranswick for providing food through the “Surplus with Purpose” scheme. Their support makes a real difference to our mission to get food, that might otherwise go to waste, to people who need it.
“FareShare’s nationwide network of 8,500 charities and community groups includes homelessness shelters, afterschool clubs, refuges and older people’s lunch clubs, all working harder than ever to support people in need. These charities transform surplus food into meals, helping to strengthen communities across the UK.”
Prior to accessing ‘Surplus with Purpose’, Cranswick began their partnership with FareShare in 2017, redistributing good to eat surplus food via FareShare’s network to frontline charities – to date this equates to around three million meals. Cranswick were also awarded FareShare Leading Food Partner status in 2022.
Adam Bower said: “The cost-of-living crisis is exposing the harsh realities many of our communities’ face, particularly when it comes to accessing good food and basic support. Our strong focus on food redistribution, education and other outreach work means we can make a real difference to helping those in need.”
