Parfetts food donations have been instrumental in supporting FareShare Greater Manchester’s efforts to redistribute surplus food to local charities and community groups. Throughout the summer, we are saying a big ‘thank you’ to the companies who supply us with the food we redistribute to our community food members (over 300 charities and community groups). This time, we’re shining the spotlight on Parfetts.
In a business where there is always going to be an element of surplus, it enables us to square the circle – where we can use that surplus to make a difference – Parfetts
Parfetts is one of the largest independent retail wholesalers in the UK. It supplies stock to over 1,000 Go Local, The Local & Go Local Extra independent retailers. When we asked why they chose to support FareShare Greater Manchester, they responded, “there wasn’t a specific event which prompted the decision. We just want to ensure we are always serving the communities in which we operate.”
Supporting local communities
Since beginning their partnership with us, Parfetts food donations have provided nearly 6 tonnes of surplus food, directly benefiting the communities they serve. The company emphasises how important it is for their staff to support the local communities where they are based; “As an employee owned business, we are very active in our local communities supporting charities and good causes and encourage our team to get involved. The vast majority of our customers operate stores that serve their local communities and the health of those communities affects them – so us supporting local communities has wide reaching benefits for all. Wastage in a business like ours is inevitable, despite us doing everything we can to minimise it and we felt that if this could be put to a positive use that helped people it could only be positive.”
Good for the environment
We accept both regular and one-off deliveries of in-date surplus food at our Manchester warehouse. We believe that good food is best eaten, not thrown away. Giving surplus food to charity with FareShare follows the food use hierarchy which calls to feed people in need first, before sending food to animal feed, anaerobic digestion or to landfill. When food producers and suppliers donate food to charity through FareShare, they not only help the environment, they help fight hunger in the local community too.
Parfetts says, “In a business where there is always going to be an element of surplus it enables us to square the circle – where we can use that surplus to make a difference. Alongside our environmental policies and the changes we are making to the business, it is another string to our bow to move us in the right direction.”
Proud to be making a difference
Taking pride in supporting local causes is a positive for Parfetts; “As an employee owned business, our team are involved in decisions like this and kept fully aware of everything we are doing – this is just one of the ways we ensure that the team are happy and feel good about the business and the things we do.” The company continues, “Our team members are from the local community and so are part of it by definition, so working for a company that makes an active difference is always a point of pride”.
What advice would Parfetts have for anyone else working in the food industry thinking of donating surplus food to FareShare Greater Manchester? “Just do it – there are only benefits and the rewards for a minimal amount of work are huge”.
Thank you Parfetts for your continued support for FareShare Greater Manchester!
