Local MP Nadhim Zahawi visited local food producer Wealmoor's Stratford Depot in Atherstone on Stour to see for himself how the company have saved over 603 tonnes of food from being wasted since 2019, equivalent to more than 1.4 million meals.

Wealmoor, who specialise in responsibly sourced fruit and veg, have partnered with food redistribution charity FareShare, in a bid to tackle food waste and food insecurity through their ‘Surplus With Purpose’ scheme.

Through this scheme, which was originally set up with £1.9 million of funding from DEFRA, the two organisations have diverted 425.2 tonnes of mangoes, limes, pomegranates and passion fruit to FareShare’s network of charities and community groups

Nadhim said:

“Thanks to companies like Wealmoor, surplus food from across the food industry now gets to more than 10,500 frontline charities and community groups.”

Lindsay Boswell, chief executive of FareShare, the UK’s national network of charitable food re-distributors said:

“Wealmoor’s supply of fruit and vegetables is especially valuable, enabling us to provide healthy, nutritious food to charities across the UK. I’m grateful to Nadhim Zahawi for taking the time to see how businesses like Wealmoor are tackling food waste within their operations at the same time as getting great quality food onto the plates of vulnerable families. This food is a lifeline.”

Added to this, Wealmoor CEO Avnish Malde said:

“We are committed to operating in a sustainable and socially conscious manner and I’m exceptionally proud of the work and commitment shown by our own teams during the pandemic, and to know that our 'good to eat surplus food' has gone to those who need it.

“Food waste is preventable, which is why as part of our Responsible Business Strategy to Net-Zero, we're extremely passionate about making the difference.”