Supplier spreading cheer at Burns Night
Family- owned Strathmore Foods are working to tackle food poverty across the country and help those who would otherwise go without celebrating this Burns Night.
The company is working closely with food redistribution charity FareShare.
The Forfar- based manufacturers will be providing a number of their surplus Haggis, Neeps and Tatties ready meals to the charity’s Tayside and Fife Regional Centre this January, ready to deliver to local charities and community groups supporting vulnerable people in time for Burns Night.
Julie Nisbet, Managing Director of Strathmore Foods explains: “We’ve been working with FareShare for over a year now and the work they do to challenge food poverty and tackle food waste is extremely honourable.”
“FareShare are a leading charity who work with the food industry to redistribute good food that would otherwise go to waste.
“This food makes it way to the frontline charities supporting vulnerable people and we are happy to get involved in time for Burns’s night.”
Strathmore Foods realised they had an excess of their well- known Burns Suppers, so instead of waiting for them to become waste they contacted FareShare to ensure they could be put to good use by being distributed to people in need.
Julie went on: “We often support FareShare with cases of our surplus ready meals, but this is the largest delivery we have ever made.
“A cancelled order unfortunately meant we had a number of our meals going to waste, but we’re delighted to offer over 400 Burns Suppers to FareShare especially as Burns Night draws near.”
Many different charities will benefit from the Burns Suppers, including youth clubs for disadvantaged children, supported housing for people suffering from physical and mental health problems, and lunch clubs for older people who would otherwise be on their own.
Gillian Kynoch, Head of FareShare Scotland explains: “By making the most of this unexpected surplus, Strathmore Foods are helping.
“FareShare ensure that hundreds of vulnerable people, often excluded from celebrations we perhaps take for granted, will be able to share in the traditional Burns Supper; turning what might be wasted into something really valuable.”
Sarah McDonald, Marketing Manager at Strathmore Foods, adds: “January is our busiest time of the year as we gear up for Burns Night with our supermarket brand – McIntosh of Strathmore.
“We shout a great deal about our Burns Suppers being easy and accessible for everyone and working with FareShare, distributing our Burns Suppers has made this even more achievable”.
Hundreds will celebrate Burns’ night now