Food charity gives out 2 million meals

FOOD charity FareShare has supplied a record two million meals to people in need across Greater Manchester this year.

Bosses at the charity, which distributes food destined for landfill to charities and food banks around the region, have described the achievement as ‘bittersweet’.

Though almost 850 tonnes of food has been saved from the rubbish tip, the figures reflect the numbers of people struggling to get by.

Development manager Miranda Kaunang says this has been Fareshare’s busiest year. “All this food is in-date, good food that would otherwise go to waste: milk, bread, vegetables, cakes even,” she said.

“Two million meals is something to be proud of, but it’s also quite sad. Research says there’s 620,000 people struggling in Greater Manchester. At the moment about 20,000 people a week are getting some FareShare food.”

The meals are distributed through food pantries such as the one run by Emmaus, in Pendleton, Salford.

For £2.50 a week, local people can take away up to £15-worth of food.

Pat Ekins, who runs the pantry, said: “I feel very proud knowing that someone’s gone out of here with a bag full of food.”

FareShare hopes to recruit even more volunteers in 2018 to join the warehouse in East Manchester, the office and as drivers delivering food.