Faversham-based brewery and pub company Shepherd Neame has named FareShare as its Charity of the Year for 2023/24.
FareShare is the UK’s biggest charity fighting hunger and food waste. It works with the food industry to get good to eat food, that might otherwise go to waste, to a network of 8,500 charities and community groups across the UK. These charities help tackle the root causes of poverty, and provide vital services including homelessness shelters, lunch clubs for elderly people suffering with isolation, and support with issues including debt, employment and mental health.
Chief Executive Jonathan Neame said: “We are committed to doing the right thing for our communities, our people and our environment. In light of the ongoing cost of living crisis, we wanted to choose a charity partner which made a real difference to families and individuals in need. FareShare’s ethos also fits with our ongoing efforts throughout the business to limit waste and recycle wherever possible, in line with our pledge to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2025.”
Last year FareShare provided the equivalent of 128 million meals to charities and groups across the UK, reaching 1 million people. For every £1 raised by Shepherd Neame, FareShare will be able to provide the equivalent of 4 meals*.
The Sheps Giving committee, which oversees Shepherd Neame’s charity initiatives and donations, will be working with FareShare to organise fundraising and promotional activities at the brewery and across its pub estate throughout the next 12 months. These include a pledge to donate 50p from every Kids Meal Deal sold across its managed pubs and hotel to the charity. Visit www.shepherdneame.co.uk/sheps-giving.co.uk for full terms and conditions.
As part of its fundraising activities, Shepherd Neame continues to partner with Pennies, the digital charity box. Customers drinking and dining at selected pubs are invited to make a 25 pence donation when they spend over £10 and pay on a card via Chip & Pin. Every penny given goes to charity: 90% to FareShare and 10% to Pennies.
Jonathan Neame added: “In addition to raising money for the charity during the year ahead, we will also be offering our team members the opportunity to take time away from their roles to volunteer with FareShare, including helping out at one of their warehouses and supporting food drives or collections. FareShare partners with a number of charities helping communities in our Kentish heartland, along with London and across the South East, so our pubs and hotels in those areas will be able to get involved as well. We are really excited about working with FareShare during the coming year.”
Shabnam Amini, director of fundraising at FareShare said: “We are delighted that Shepherd Neame has chosen us as their Charity of the Year. The money raised will make a valuable contribution to helping us get good-to-eat surplus food to people who need it most, and help strengthen communities by supporting the essential work of our network of 8,500 charities.”
For more information about FareShare visit fareshare.org.uk
Find out more about Sheps Giving at www.shepherdneame.co.uk/sheps-giving
* Based on WRAP’s guidelines that the average meal size is 420g: https://preprod.wrap.org.uk/system/files/2020-09/WRAP-Expressing%20redistributed%20food%20surplus%20as%20meal%20equivalents%20%28WRAP%20guidance%29.pdf
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About FareShare
FareShare is the UK’s biggest charity fighting hunger and food waste. We take good-to-eat surplus food from across the food industry, sort it in our regional warehouses across the UK, and pass it onto a network of nearly 8,500 charities and community groups. These include food banks and pantries, hostels, refuges, community centres, older people’s lunch clubs, school clubs and hospices. Three quarters of the organisations we provide food to, support children and families. During the last financial year, 2022-32, FareShare redistributed the equivalent of nearly 128 million meals – that’s 4 meals every second. For more information visit www.fareshare.org.uk
About Shepherd Neame
Shepherd Neame has been based in the market town of Faversham, Kent for over 300 years. Perhaps best known for great British classic ales such as Spitfire, which carries the Royal Warrant, its diverse portfolio includes Five Grain Lager, Bear Island East Coast Pale Ale and Bear Island Triple Hopped Lager, and the Whitstable Bay Collection. It also brews international lagers under licence including Samuel Adams Boston Lager, and premium Thai lager Singha. The independent family business boasts an award-winning visitor centre and more than 300 pubs and hotels throughout London and the South East, from the historic heart of the City to the Kent coastline.
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For further information please contact Corporate Communications Manager Kathryn Tye on 01795 542259 or email ktye@shepherdneame.co.uk or visit www.shepherdneame.co.uk