Kentish Express Ashford & District
Sharing vision for delivering
The Ashford branch of a national charity has reached a significant milestone.
FareShare Kent, the Kentish Express charity of the year, has distributed more than 500 tonnes of surplus food in its first two and a quarter years of operation.
The regional centre in Sevington was set up in July 2014 and 101 community food members, made up of charities and community groups such as foodbanks, have benefited from the food supplied across the region.
Ian Townsend-Blazier, business development manager for FareShare Kent said: “This has been a fantastic achievement and effort to tackle food waste at store and supplier level, as well as create significant savings for our community food members on their catering costs.
“This achievement has been down to the hard work of the volunteer workforce who help make FareShare Kent possible.
“Our volunteers support us in many ways from administrative tasks, picking, packing and stowing food as well as delivering the food to local charities and community groups across Ashford and further afield in one of our distinctive chiller vans.
“Without volunteers none of our work would be possible and we are very thankful for everyone who has support so far.”
Last year, 26 volunteers obtained 96 qualifications under charity training incentives such as food hygiene qualifications, health and safety qualifications and fork lift driver training.
The Ashford branch hope that their success over the past few years will inspire more help.
Mr Townsend-Blazier added: “As much as this is a great achievement, our vision over the next couple of years is to push on and keep expanding the operation, our next major target is to deliver over 1,000 tonnes of good quality surplus food to deserving causes.”
To volunteer, email fskent@ fareshare.org.uk or call 01233 500477.
‘Without volunteers none of our work would be possible and we are very thankful for everyone who has support so far’