Nadhim Zahawi, MP for Stratford-on-Avon, praised local fruit and veg distributor Wealmoor for donating 1.4 million meals worth of food to people in need when he visited its depot inAtherstone-on-Stour.
Since 2019, Wealmoor has saved over 603 tonnes of food from being wasted - the equivalent of more than 1.4 million meals - via its partnership with FairShare, which redistributes surplus food to its network of 11,000 charities across the UK, FairShare said in a press release.
During his visit, Zahawi, who is the minister responsible for the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, said: “Thanks to companies like Wealmoor, FareShare has been able to triple the amount of food going out to frontline charities during the crisis – charities that have been working tirelessly to ensure those who are most vulnerable can access food.”
Lindsay Boswell, chief executive of FareShare added: “Wealmoor’s supply of fruit and vegetables is especially valuable to FareShare, enabling us to provide healthy, nutritious food to charities across the UK. I’m grateful to Nadhim Zahawi for taking the time to see how businesses like Wealmoor are tackling food waste within their operations at the same time as getting great quality food onto the plates of vulnerable families. This food is a lifeline.”
Avnish Malde runs Wealmoor alongside his wife Leena - the second generation of the same family to lead the business, which has a depot based in Atherstone-on-Stour.
Malde said: “We are committed as a business to operating in a sustainable and socially conscious manner. I’m exceptionally proud of the work and commitment shown by our own teams during the pandemic, and know that our good to eat surplus food has gone to those who need it.”
“We are a forward-thinking company, and look forward to deepening our relationship with FareShare. We believe fundamentally that as well as farming responsibly, we have an even greater responsibility to protect the communities in which we operate and to improve lives.”
