Let’s be honest, the weekly shop has been a pinch for everyone lately. But for millions of families across the UK, this winter is looking particularly daunting and the statistics are sobering.
Research from Trussell (formerly The Trussell Trust) suggests a record 9.3 million people are currently facing hunger and hardship in the UK—including three million children. In fact, they predict that their network of foodbanks are bracing themselves to hand out an emergency food parcel every 10 seconds this winter to meet demand.
For the 13th year running, Tesco is rallying its shoppers to help plug the gap. They are asking customers to put an extra item or two into the donation trolleys to support Trussell and FareShare as its Winter Food Collection is back.
Last year, generous shoppers donated the equivalent of 1.9 million meals. With FareShare expecting to distribute over 40 million meals this winter, every single tin counts.
The bags, which typically cost between £2 and £4, are pre-filled with healthy and nutritious long-life items and can be picked up in store and paid for at the checkout. The donated food is passed to FareShare and Trussell, who will distribute it to charities and food banks to help families who need it most.
Winter is typically the busiest time of year for Tesco’s charity partners who see a marked increase in the number of people needing to turn to them for support. Between December 2023 and January 2024, Trussell’s community of food banks distributed more than 600,000 food parcels, and they are expecting another tough winter as levels of need remain high.
Throughout the year, Tesco donates surplus food from its distribution network and stores through its charity and community partners, FareShare and Olio. Since 2012, Tesco has donated the equivalent of more than 300 million meals through FareShare alone, as part of its Community Food Connection programme.
Mohammed Kathrada, Project Lead at Blackburn and Darwen Youth Awareness Project, which receives food from the Winter Food Collection said: “The food we receive on a regular basis from Tesco is enormously important to our project. It really helps us to provide a service for the community, enabling our community fridge to support those families and individuals experiencing food poverty.
“The food we receive helps us to support young people and families struggling in life, including those who have recently come out of homelessness. During the winter, demand for our services is often higher and the additional food we receive from the Tesco Winter Food collection really makes a huge difference, we are so grateful for all the donations.”
Michelle Woodall, manager at DENS Foodbank, Dacorum, in Hemel Hempstead, added: “It is always inspiring to see the incredible generosity from our supporters during the Winter Food Collections. The donations we receive through this initiative make a huge difference, providing much-needed stock to help us meet the growing needs of local families and individuals facing hardship. Last year alone, the collections were 2,800 kg of food and hygiene items, from one store alone – highlighting the power of our community when they come together to help those most in need.
”
- Tinned fish
- Tinned meat and pies
- Tinned vegetarian meals
- Long-life juice
- UHT milk
- Sponge and rice puddings
- Tinned fruit and vegetables
- Tea and instant coffee
- Cereals and oats
- Cooking sauces
- Tinned beans and pulses
- Dried pasta, noodles and rice
- Tinned soup and dried pot meals
- Snacks e.g. dried fruit, nuts and biscuits
- Peanut butter, preserves and condiments
- Cooking oil
- Toilet rolls
- Shower gel
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Toothpaste and toothbrushes
- Deodorant
Ashwin Prasad, Tesco UK CEO, said: “With more families than ever expected to need help with essentials this winter, along with our partners, we are encouraging customers to donate whatever they can to our Winter Food Collection. If we all pull together, we can make a big difference to lives across the UK this winter.
“It’s our 13th Winter Food Collection and the generosity of Tesco customers and their commitment to helping their local community makes me and the entire Tesco team so proud.”
Trussell Chief Executive, Emma Revie, said: “Food banks are a last resort for people who’ve been left facing hunger and hardship. They’re a lifeline, offering a warm welcome and space to be heard. But with so many people unable to afford the essentials right now, food banks are having to purchase record amounts of emergency food.
“I know times are tough for everyone at the moment but, the Tesco Winter Collection is the perfect opportunity to donate. Options like the pre-packed donation bags and round-up at till make it easier than ever to support your local food bank today and help end hunger for good.”
FareShare Chief Executive, Kris Gibbon-Walsh, said: “Food from FareShare reaches a network of over 8,000 charities across the UK, enabling them to provide food support alongside access to other vital services. In the winter months, many people accessing these local groups are forced to choose between keeping warm and eating. This makes the Tesco Winter Food Collection more important than ever. We are enormously grateful to all our colleagues at Tesco for their continued support, together we turn surplus and donated food into meals, strengthening communities and supporting those in need.
“The Tesco Winter Food Collection enables us to collect long-life, staple ingredients that complement he fresh surplus food we redistribute. If shoppers can donate just one item at their local store, they’ll be helping to provide a meal for someone facing hardship this winter.”
Tesco’s Winter Food Collection, the biggest in the UK, runs in its Express stores from November 24-29t and in large stores from November 27-29.
