FELIX TAKES A BIGGER BITE OF MARKET
THE Felix Project, the beneficiary of our Food For London Now campaign, is set to expand significantly by taking over the London operation of fellow food redistribution charity, FareShare, the Evening Standard can reveal.
The deal, which sees Felix acquiring FareShare’s large warehouse in Deptford, will add 50 per cent to their capacity and give Felix a base to serve south London charities — such as homeless shelters and breakfast clubs — to add to its two existing depots supplying west and north London.
The deal involves Felix joining the national FareShare Network and is billed as a “strategic fit” for both charities. It allows each to focus on their strengths with Felix becoming the largest last-mile food redistribution charity in the UK and FareShare consolidating its dominant position sourcing surplus produce to its UK-wide network.
Felix is the 18th charity to join this national network and will be the exclusive recipient of FareShare’s supply of surplus food in London, although Felix will also continue to source food independently from about 440 suppliers.
Both charities said that by “joining forces and each focusing on their strengths” they can “better tackle food waste and the unprecedented hunger crisis” in the wake of Covid-19. John Bason, chairman of FareShare, said: “It simplifies the businesses with each focusing on what they do best. FareShare is the main point of contact for farmers, food producers and retailers for saving surplus food across the UK and this deal will undoubtedly mean more surplus food coming into London.
“Felix will become the food redistribution charity for all of London and reap economies of scale from being stronger, bigger and more efficient — and frankly more focused than FareShare was on last-mile distribution.” Justin Byam
Shaw, founder of The Felix Project, said: “This will demonstrate that collaboration in the voluntary sector is not only morally the right thing to do but that it works. Just as our joint response to Covid-19 has been so spectacularly effective in London, so will this new alliance bring real benefits to Londoners in need.”
Also set to benefit are London charities that have hitherto paid fees to receive surplus food from FareShare, with Felix CEO Mark Curtin pledging “no charities will be charged a penny for delivery of food by Felix”.
The two charities say they aim to have arrangements completed in the autumn. Mr Curtin added: “This is a game-changing development for The Felix Project. Felix can accelerate operational growth to meet the rapidly increasing demand for quality surplus food from communities that need us.”
FareShare CEO Lindsay Boswell said: “Together we will be able to grow our dual impacts of reducing the amount of perfectly good-to-eat food that goes to waste and reduce the burden of hunger for the vulnerable.”
So far the Standard has raised £7.5 million for Felix, three-quarters of the way to our pledged goal of £10 million.