At Lupa Foods, our commitment to sustainability and community responsibility has always been unwavering. Our recent collaboration with FareShare, through their food life extension project (Flex) and our customer We Can Foods, is a testament to our shared commitment in making a positive difference in our communities.
FareShare, the UK’s largest charity fighting hunger and food waste recently launched the Flex project to explore new ways to prevent surplus food going to waste. Through the project, FareShare takes short life foods and are canning, freezing, juicing and cooking with them to turn them into long life sources of nutrition and energy for their network of charities supporting local communities.
When we realized we had 35 pallets of surplus semi-dried tomatoes, we saw not waste but opportunity. Partnering with FareShare and We Can Foods, these tomatoes were transformed into 100,000 cans of Sundried Tomato soup, enough to create 185,000 hearty meals.
As part of our sustainability initiatives, we believe in minimizing food waste while maximizing community impact. The alarming statistics about food wastage in the UK compelled us to seek partners who are as determined as we are in combating this issue.
The distribution was spearheaded by FareShare, and has already resulted in over 2000 deliveries to frontline charities, with the number expected to rise. The collaborative effort ensures that not only does food not go to waste, but it also goes to those who need it most.
The feedback from one of the charities that received the soup beautifully captures its impact:
‘The soup can be heated quickly in a microwave or on a hob, making it particularly suitable for those without access to an oven/hob or those reluctant to use an oven due to the cost of energy’ and ‘It was ready-made – no cost involved due to needing additional ingredients. Quick and easy to make, so suitable for people struggling to cook for themselves.’
The dedication of everyone involved in this initiative cannot be understated. Kris Gibbon-Walsh Chief Operating Officer from FareShare remarked:
‘We are so grateful to be able to work with Lupa Foods who provided all the frozen sundried tomatoes that we cooked up and turned into 100,000 cans of soup. Cupboard essentials such as soup can really make a difference to families facing food insecurity. They are nutritious, delicious, and easy to prepare. Thank you, Lupa Foods!’
Our partnership with FareShare and We Can Foods reaffirms our collective commitment to community welfare and sustainability. The journey from surplus tomatoes to nourishing soup, all the way to the tables of those in need, is a tale of collaboration, vision, and the shared belief that every bit counts. Together, we are not just ensuring that food does not go to waste; we are ensuring it goes where it’s needed the most.
