The Tesco Food Collection has kicked off in Deptford today, encouraging people to donate long-life food in store as part of the UK's biggest annual charity food collection.

Shoppers are urged to help people in need this Christmas by donating long-life food in store from today, November 21, until Saturday, November 23.

 

Charity partners Trussell Trust and FareShare are hoping to beat last year's total of 3.5 million meals worth of food, and the scheme has collected over 63 million meals since it started in 2012.

Everything collected in Tesco stores will be distributed to by the two charities, with the supermarket giant adding an extra 20% on top of donations.

Food donated to Trussell Trust's network will be given in emergency food parcels to people referred because of financial hardship, whilst FareShare will distribute food to community groups and charities providing meals for vulnerable groups such as isolated older people.

Lindsay Boswell and Emma Revie, chief executives of FareShare and the Trussell Trust respectively, and Tesco's group communications director, Christine Heffernan, all joined volunteers at the FareShare regional centre in Deptford for the launch of the Tesco Food Collection

"We know the items our customers donate can make a real difference to people who really need that little bit of extra help this year,” said Ms Heffernan.

“Whether it is in a food parcel for someone at a time of crisis, or part of a hot meal which means a vulnerable person does not feel lonely this Christmas."

Trussell Trust added that all food donated is used locally and is an invaluable boost to food banks’ stocks at a time of year that is always extremely busy and when demand for emergency food is high.