Marks and Spencer Food Surplus Scheme
Since Marks and Spencer launched their nationwide food distribution scheme last year, they've redistributed surplus food such as fruit, vegetables, bakery items, and grocery items like pasta, cereal and cooking sauces that haven't been sold at the end of the day to local charities and people in need.
Linking Marks and Spencer stores to c.600 local charities and community groups has seen more than 1.25 million meals to charity so far.
The next phase of the project they have looked at how they can expand the type of food they can redistribute to include chilled food such as meat, dairy items, poultry and ready meals.
One of the key challenges is that all chilled products have a use by date and, in line with regulations, they are currently unable to redistribute any food that has gone past its use by date. This includes ensuring that all those charities registered have refrigeration to transport and store chilled food, as well as having the correct food hygiene credentials in place.
Over the last month, 130 M&S stores began redistributing surplus chilled food to their local charity partners and this will continue to be rolled out to further stores where the charity partner has the approved infrastructure in place.
Well done M&S!