M&S Food has invested over £1 million in a brand-new initiative to combat food poverty by donating more than 1.5 million freshly prepared and nutritious meals to FareShare this year, including three new specially developed M&S quality family meals using surplus ingredients.
The meals will be made directly from the supply chain by a leading fresh food supplier, 2 Sisters Food Group, which has been supplying M&S for over 20 years.
FareShare is the UK’s largest charity fighting food insecurity and waste as part of the Coronation Food Project, inspired by His Majesty King Charles III. Starting in September, M&S will distribute the specially developed products to FareShare through its national network.
Developed by M&S chefs, the Vegetable Curry, Carrot & Coriander Soup, and Family Sized Pizza meals use surplus ingredients from the retailer’s existing supply chain, such as fresh vegetables that might otherwise go to waste.
These nutritionally balanced meals serve two to four people. They will be freshly prepared and guaranteed to last four days from the donation day.
M&S has also donated freshly prepared meals from its famous ‘Eat Well’ range. M&S Food has worked with FareShare to carefully select three of its most popular products, which hold the M&S “gold standard” seal of approval for health and nutrition.
“At M&S Food, we make great quality, delicious, and nutritious food, and we’ve been inspired by the Coronation Food Project to redistribute more meals than we ever have before,” said Alex Freudmann, Managing Director of M&S Food.
“By utilising the ingredients, capacity, and time available within our supply chain, we can donate so much more product and ultimately help more people. I’m delighted to work with our supplier partners to support FareShare throughout the year.”
Over the last 12 months, M&S donated over 25.3 million meal equivalents through its supply chain partnership with FareShare and store redistribution partnership, Neighbourly.
