Firm offers millions of meals to those in need

Oakland International, based in Redditch, have been working with Fareshare for 18 months

Tonnes of food are being saved from going to waste by a firm that is offering millions of meals to those in need.

Oakland International (OI) has been working with Fareshare to create meals and distribute them to 8,500 charities and community groups.

In 2023, the Redditch-based firm helped save more than 6,000 tonnes of food and created 14.2 million meals from its leftover production.

Fareshare's director said the firm was "instrumental" in also helping them tackle the "environmental impact of food waste".

The hunger and food waste charity work has been working with OI for the last 18 months.

Dale Fiddy, OI director, said last year's food savings "spoke volumes" as a result of its ongoing partnership with the charity.

"Of the millions of meals provided, they have directly benefitted people in our society most in need, including families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis to the homeless."

During its work in 2023, OI has also helped reduce CO2 emissions by 12,000 tonnes, it said.

Carl Hawkes, director of operations at FareShare, said the charity was "incredibly grateful" for the support.

"[It has] been instrumental in helping us tackle the environmental impact of food waste in order to support our network of charities and community groups across the UK," he said.

"Working with Oakland has allowed us to develop innovative schemes to extend the shelf life of food, reducing carbon emissions while getting food to people who need it.”