Supplier Spotlight : Co-op Lea Green

Last year we redistributed the 4.7 million meals worth of good-to-eat surplus food to people who really need it. We could not do that without the support of our food partners. These are the companies which supply us with the food we redistribute to our community food members (250 charities and community groups).

Today, we’re shining the spotlight on Co-op Lea Green.

Here at FareShare Greater Manchester, we rely on manufacturers, retailers and others in the food industry to supply us with their surplus good-to-eat food. Without their food donations, both regular and one-off, we would not be able to serve our 250 community food members.

Long-term food partner

Co-op Lea Green has been working with FareShare as a food partner since 2013 and in that time has donated 623 tonnes of food into the FareShare network – that’s equivalent to a staggering 1,484,182 meals! Primarily, Co-op Lea Green sends us chilled fresh food, but it has also supplied us with ambient and frozen lines as well. Generally, the food sent to us consists of shorter dated products and pallets which have been sent to the depot incorrectly by suppliers.

Multiple benefits

The Co-op’s Lea Green Distribution Centre serves Co-op stores across North Wales and the North West of England, so the amount of food coming through the doors is immense. A Co-op Lea Green spokesperson says there are many benefits to working with FareShare Greater Manchester to minimise wastage of food; “By reducing waste, we honour our commitment to the community and contribute to a more sustainable future. Reducing waste is a part of our ethos – it strengthens our community, preserves resources, and supports a more sustainable future for everyone.”

We collect the food

Initially, Co-op Lea Green delivered to FareShare, but we now make regular trips to collect from them. We visit the Lea Green depot three times a week for regular pick-ups using our own vehicle. By having a regular slot, it works well for the Co-op and for us. Co-op staff are able to have stock ready for us when we arrive and it makes for a smooth working relationship as we know we will be getting a regular supply of good quality food for our members. In fact, Co-op Lea Green says the collection system is one of the most rewarding parts of working with us owing to “the ease” of dealing with us.

By sending surplus good-to-eat food to FareShare Greater Manchester rather than it going to waste has a cost benefit too, their spokesperson says there are many advantages, “all people working in the industry, hate to see good food go to waste. We obviously incur a cost to destroy food, but this is a long distant second behind it not being put to good use.”

Win-win situation

“It is beneficial for staff, as everyone benefits from hearing about good work being done. It also benefits suppliers, as opposed to collecting stock, it is more cost effective for them to see it go to charity. It’s win-win”, says a Co-op Lea Green spokesperson. And any advice for others in the food industry thinking of working with FareShare Greater Manchester? “It is an extremely rewarding experience. The feedback we get routinely about the effect it has had in the area is truly worth it. Do it, you won’t regret it. It’s a pleasure to work with FareShare”.

Thank you to everyone at Co-op Lea Green for your amazing support for FareShare over the past 12 years – we really appreciate it!

If you work in the food industry and and would like to find out more about how we could work together getting surplus good-to-eat food to where it’s needed most, please click on the button below.