Tesco stores across the UK experienced an outpouring of generosity during the Winter Food Collection, with customers donating an impressive 1.9 million meals’ worth of long-life food items. The collection took place between 25th and 30th November in both large and Express stores nationwide.
Each item donated plays a crucial role in supporting the charities FareShare and Trussell, helping to address the heightened need for assistance during the holiday season. Contributions to Trussell enable food banks to supply emergency food parcels to individuals and families struggling to afford essentials. Meanwhile, donations to FareShare support thousands of frontline local charities across the UK, providing vital aid to communities in need.
With heightened demand expected this winter, especially during the Christmas period when families face additional expenses, Tesco has bolstered its support by providing an additional £500,000 in funding to FareShare and Trussell. This extra funding aims to help the charities meet the urgent and growing need for assistance during the festive season.
Tesco CEO Ken Murphy said: “I just want to say a huge thank you to every single person who donated items at this year’s Winter Food Collection. Their generosity is always so amazing and really helps to make a huge impact in communities across the UK supported by Trussell and FareShare.”
Tesco’s support for FareShare and Trussell extends throughout the year. Through its Community Food Connection scheme, Tesco donates unsold food to FareShare, ensuring surplus supplies reach those in need. So far this year, Tesco and its customers have provided the equivalent of over 39 million meals to both charities, reinforcing their commitment to tackling food insecurity nationwide.
In addition to food donations, Tesco's Winter Food Collection raised over £340,000 in financial support. Customers contributed by rounding up their bills at the till or making donations through Tesco’s online groceries website, further bolstering efforts to support vulnerable communities during the holiday season.
Kristopher Gibbon-Walsh, CEO at FareShare, said: “Every year, we are blown away by the generosity of Tesco customers at the Winter Food Collection, and this year is no exception. Thank you to every single person who volunteered in-store, donated an item of food, topped up their shopping bill, or made a donation to FareShare. Your kind support ensures we can continue getting food out into the community, bringing people together, and strengthening communities this winter.”
Emma Revie, CEO of Trussell, added: “We are so grateful to Tesco for supporting food banks during this challenging season through the Winter Food Collection. Thank you to Tesco customers for coming out in support of your local food bank, ensuring they can continue helping everyone in your local community facing hunger and hardship this winter.
“Food banks in the Trussell community are a last resort for people who’ve been left facing hunger and hardship. They’re a lifeline, offering a warm welcome and space to be heard. However, with so many people unable to afford the essentials right now, food banks are providing exceptionally high levels of emergency food, with many telling us they are at breaking point. Just over 1.4 million emergency food parcels were provided across the UK by food banks in our community between April and September this year.”
