Supermarket wants charities to make the most of its food donations

Sainsbury’s wants to hear from organisations needing food which would otherwise go to waste, such as bread, rolls, cakes, fruit and vegetables.

And the store says there is an added bonus in that the scheme reduces the amount of food going to landfill.

One charity already benefiting Care Dewsbury, a church-led group which collects bread and pastries twice a week for its soup kitchen sessions for needy people. “The food we get from Sainsbury’s is really valuable for us,” said Care Dewsbury management team member Brian Taylor.

The store is anxious that food which can’t be sold in store, but which is fine to eat, doesn’t go to waste.

And there are other examples of work with community groups and local good causes, such as clothes going to women’s shelters and tea and sugar to churches for fundraising coffee mornings.

Dewsbury store manager Tim Morris said: “Donating surplus food is a great way of supporting charities and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.

“Often, at the end of the day there is perfectly good food which has reached its display-by date but is still within its use-by date. When this happens, we would rather give this food to charities than see it go to waste. That’s why we want to link up with more good causes.

“This can often involve fruit and veg, bread, milk and other foods which charities who house or care for people may have to buy on a daily basis.”

The store also helps by giving flowers to the Manorcroft care home and St Saviour’s Church in Birstall, along with breakfast items to Eastborough school.

Mr Taylor goes to the store’s bakery twice a week to collect the items which include bread, scones, pastries. The food is then taken to the Baptist Church where people can come for food on Mondays and Thursdays.

“Sainsbury’s never let us down,” he said.

“And even though they will have been up since the crack of dawn, the bakery staff treat us like royalty.”

Organisations which want to apply for food donations should contact Tim Morris on 01924 462190.