Lucy Danger, Chief Executive of Manchester-based charity EMERGE, which runs FareShare
North West, talks to Environment Industry Magazine about her passion for bringing people together to tackle two major issues – minimising waste whilst addressing poverty, “Surely we can find a solution to that when there’s so much food being wasted in the UK?” says Lucy. We meet her to find out how….
EMERGE Food is a subsidiary of the EMERGE group and runs the franchise of FareShare in partnership with the national organisation who wanted to see a Manchester – and indeed wider North West presence.
FareShare national – now 10 years old – was recently voted Most Admired Charity of the Year by Third Sector magazine. It’s a partnership EMERGE is delighted to be in. “FareShare originally grew out of Crisis – the homeless charity – who were redistributing food, while EMERGE, which has also been going for 15 years, has a strong waste management pedigree – so it’s an ideal alliance! “EMERGE works with schools and the wider community to promote the 3Rs of sustainable resource management – reduce, reuse, recycle. By working with FareShare we can better meet both agendas, diverting edible food away from landfill and supporting people in food poverty.”
From its depot on New Smithfield Market in the heart of East Manchester, EMERGE’s FareShare operation accepts donations of food and mobilises the redistribution of that food to beneficiaries. Heinz, for example, are one of FareShare’s national partners. “The FareShare operation is run on a highly professional basis,” says Lucy. “The beneficiary organisations have to meet an agreed set of procedures, including meeting high food hygiene standards, since most of them provide meals.” Typical recipients include church organisations, charity groups, local hostels or schools, breakfast clubs in deprived communities. Lucy comments: “It is often about a lack of skills and motivation as well as cost. Some people just don’t feel confident or capable of cooking a healthy meal for themselves.”
Since setting up, FareShare North West has diverted over 500 tonnes from landfill, contributing to over 1.19 million meals for people in food poverty! FareShare’s goals nationally include developing a national network of distribution centres. “Liverpool has recently opened,” said Lucy.
A staggering 350,000 tonnes of edible in date food is going to waste every year across the UK and even 350 tonnes could help at least 80 organisations in the North West. Lucy emphasises: “We need to convince food companies to redirect any surplus food they may have so we can direct it to those helping feed the needy; we’re effectively the ‘front door’ to a whole range of bone fide organisations.”
So how would you define ‘edible food’? Food redistributed by FareShare has to be “in date” i.e. within the best before
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or use by date, even if that means a couple of days. It can be pretty much anything. The types of food currently received include staples like bread, cereal and pasta, although, ideally, more fresh fruit, vegetables, chilled produce, dairy, fish and meat is needed. Frozen or chilled foods can be received if supplied according to food industry standards, as FareShare North West has industrial fridge and freezer units.
As a charity EMERGE also provides meaningful work and volunteering opportunities. Lucy again: “the charity adds value at every turn.” Working full-time at the FareShare scheme is one paid project manager and 12 regular volunteers. “We have a number of individuals from varied backgrounds including asylum seekers, who’ve come to us via beneficiary organisations; the work provides valuable experiences, which in many cases helps people regain some order into their lives. So they have to be here at a certain time and do a day’s shift. It helps them re-establish a work/life discipline, build self-esteem and gain skills. We’ve often been a stepping stone to food hygiene training, manual handling or even fork lift truck certificates.”
And what about supporters from the food and drink industry? “Food distribution company, Brakes, is a huge supporter on a national basis,” says Lucy “and we are working with a local contact in the North West region. We are developing relationships with the Co-operative and Kellogg’s amongst others, and have a number of other working agreements with food companies big and small, which we really appreciate. New Smithfield Market itself is a wholesale market for fruit and vegetables, fish and meat. We are very handily placed for traders to pass on any surplus supplies to a good cause! But the goal is to get many more organisations involved, especially where they are prepared to drop pallet-loads of food – that’s where we will make a bigger difference.”
The support of organisations like Food NW has been invaluable in building awareness and persuading people to get more involved. “There is obviously a climate impact to poor management of surplus food, whilst there are people locally who really benefit from these supplies. As pressure is brought to bear on amounts going to landfill we are ideally placed to offer a safe, secure solution.” Lucy says: “I am a pretty practical sort of person. And the vulnerability you see in our recipient organisations could happen to anyone.” Cornerstones in Moss Side in Manchester is one of EMERGE’s busiest beneficiaries, who Lucy describes as ‘brilliant’. They make and serve about 250 hot meals every day.
As well as running a wide range of successful and innovative waste management services through their recycling subsidiary, the EMERGE team has recently begun some educational work supported by Manchester City Council’s Carbon Innovation Fund. They have set up a kitchen garden at Smithfield Market to demonstrate how to grow your own food. “It shows what you can do in a small space – very simple, resourceful and satisfying!”
Food manufacturers wanting to know more should contact Peter on 07969 841777 or Seb at FareShare North West on 0161 223 8200 or 07917 237 537,
fareshare@emergemanchester.co.uk
As well as food donations there are numerous opportunities to get involved in fund-raising, volunteering or project development, contact Nicola via
www.emergemanchester.co.uk or 0161 223 8200.
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