Following a successful trial, the retailer is extending the number of its branches participating in the FareShare Go programme, using the Irish social enterprise FoodCloud IT platform, to all full-size supermarkets by the end of the year.
The food redistribution technology is supported by FareShare and powered by FoodCloud, and makes it easier for branches to let local charities know about surplus goods. Waitrose shops are already established in donating food to local charities and the IT platform will help smooth communication between branches and groups.
Shops simply input details of available food into an app and connected charities receive a text alert of which items are ready for collection. This builds on relationships branches already have with local groups as well as recruiting new ones, with the technology making the process even simpler and quicker.
FareShare was established as a food redistribution charity over 20 years ago. It provides a range of services including a support team to recruit and audit charities and community groups to the FareShare Go model. The team ensures only groups which can safely collect, store and prepare food are linked with a local shop. This guarantees all Waitrose surplus food will go to organisations properly equipped to provide meals to vulnerable communities.
Since launching the trial in 2017 in 25 shops, an equivalent of nearly 70,000 meals have been donated to over 100 charities. From 16th April the next phase of four shops in Jersey and Guernsey will join the existing 25 branches which already use FareShare Go. By the end of 2018 there will be 300 Waitrose shops using the IT platform.
Groups which collect surplus food are offered funds from the Waitrose Community Matters (green tokens) scheme which donates money to local good causes - this goes a step beyond simply donating produce. Kitchen equipment and storage are included in the items charities can buy with the retailer's funding. This support will be extended to all branches with the roll out of FareShare Go.
