Shropshire supermarket offering free food to charities

Bosses at a Shropshire supermarket have launched a fresh appeal for local charities to contact the store if they would be interested in receiving free food donations.

Despite an earlier call by the Sainsbury's store at Meole Brace for needy charities to come forward, none have so far done so.

The latest appeal comes after Isaiah 58, a charity for homeless people in Shropshire which previously benefited from food donations, closed.

Store manager Peter Briggs, said: "Donating our surplus food is a great way of supporting local charities and also reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.

"Very often at the end of each day there is perfectly good food left over that has reached its display-by date, but is still within the use-by date.

"Where this happens we would rather give this food to charities for free than see it go to waste, so we are advocating linking up with a local charity to donate this surplus food to them."

This can be fruit and vegetables, bread, milk and other foods that charities who house or look after people may have to purchase on a daily basis.

Mr Briggs added: "Sainsbury's has been involved in donating safe, edible and nutritious food to local charities since 1998 and our commitment to effective waste management in preventing 'fit for purpose' food going to landfill is a key part of our community strategy here in Shropshire and the wider area.

"We would urge any charitable group that provides meals for people and who may be interested in receiving food donations to get in touch with the store."

For further information contact Peter Briggs, store manager at Sainsbury's, Shrewsbury, on (01743) 244744.