Danone has launched a three-year partnership with UK charity FoodCycle to transform surplus food into healthy meals.
Volunteers will deliver the equivalent to over 200,000 meals to communities across the UK and as a result, 88 tonnes of surplus food will be saved from going to waste.
As part of the collaboration, the food company will donate £300,000 to FoodCycle to support the running of existing community projects and the launch of new locations.
“At Danone UK, we believe everyone should have access to healthy food – whatever their circumstance,” Danone UK and Ireland head of sustainability and social innovation Hannah Cornick said.
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“It is particularly pertinent now at a time when many are turning to community-based projects to ease the financial pressure of feeding themselves and their families.
“It is also why we were passionate that the partnership should include the joint development of recipes and resources, to support FoodCycle in their aim to nourish the hungry, connect communities and promote sustainable, healthy attitudes towards food.”
Employees will be encouraged to volunteer at the charity as part of Danone’s unlimited volunteer days programme, while its team of nutritionists and dietitians will be working with FoodCycle to deliver support, such as developing recipes that balance nutritional value and affordability.
FoodCycle chief executive officer Mary McGrath added: “Food poverty and loneliness are growing issues and with the cost-of-living continuing to increase at a rapid rate, people need our services more than ever.
“Many of our projects have already welcomed members of the Danone community into the kitchen as volunteers. With this partnership, we look forward to tapping into the business’ 50 plus years of knowledge and expertise in nutrition to support the FoodCycle network with training, recipes and resources.”
