FareShare Sussex & Surrey (FSSS) has recently celebrated its one-year anniversary of operations at its warehouse located in Surrey, marking a vital milestone in the organization’s efforts to combat food waste and alleviate food poverty in the region. This celebration coincided with UK Volunteers’ Week, a time dedicated to honoring and acknowledging the invaluable contributions of volunteers across the nation.
Founded 23 years ago, FSSS has evolved to collect and distribute surplus food to charities and community groups, effectively serving as a bridge between food waste and food insecurity. The establishment of its Guildford facility has allowed the organization to ramp up its operations significantly. According to their statistics, FSSS manages to deliver an impressive 2.14 million meals each year, providing essential support to approximately 17,000 individuals weekly who are at risk of food poverty.
The opening of the Guildford depot has been pivotal in meeting the increasing demand for food assistance within Surrey. Carolyn Turner, one of the organization’s 170 devoted volunteers, shared her motivation for joining FSSS, expressing a desire to fight against food waste and poverty. “I’ve seen so much in the news about people lacking sufficient food, while other food is just wasted. I wanted to contribute,” she explained. In her role as an assistant at the Guildford warehouse, Carolyn dedicates six hours a week to the charity’s cause. Her responsibilities vary from organizing food into 10kg trays to sorting through large quantities of fresh produce such as apples and carrots.
Despite the labor-intensive nature of such responsibilities, Carolyn noted that her position offers ample opportunities for camaraderie among her peers, filled with moments of “laughing and chatting.” This sense of community and support among the volunteers is a core element of FSSS, enhancing both their collective motivation and the experience of helping others.
FSSS’s Chief Executive, Dan Slatter, acknowledged the growing need for food assistance in the area, which prompted the decision to open the new warehouse. By expanding their footprint in Surrey, the organization aims to reach more people in need while continuing to upscale their operations sustainably.
In addition to their operational efforts, the charity’s mission is powered by the significant volunteer support they receive, underlining the crucial role that community participation plays in addressing food waste and poverty. The resilience of this charitable organization has become even more evident during challenging times, where the cost of living has made access to food even more precarious for many families.
Overall, FareShare Sussex & Surrey has demonstrated the impactful role of charities in not only redistributing food waste but also in creating a community that is aware and responsive to the needs of its members. They have set a laudable example of how volunteer-driven initiatives can mobilize resources effectively to serve those in need. As Food Waste Charities like FSSS continue to operate, they serve as vital lifelines for communities facing food insecurity while simultaneously playing a role in reducing waste in the food supply chain.
As this movement grows, it becomes essential to spread awareness and engage more individuals in supporting such causes, whether through volunteering, donations, or advocacy. As FSSS celebrates its first anniversary, it stands as a testament to the power of community engagement and the ongoing need for collaborative efforts to address the critical issues of food waste and poverty in society.