A supermarket giant has rolled out a community food share scheme to Ealing convenience stores which will enable local groups to access surplus food produce.

Tesco's Community Food Connection scheme, which will be launched in express stores in the borough, has so far led to more than 12,000 meals donated to local community groups.

Groups such as Hanwell2Hanwell and Old Oaks Community Centre have already benefited by using the scheme's app, which allows groups to see what food is left over at the end of each day.

Supermarket headlines

Tesco is now urging more charities and groups to sign up to the scheme so they too can benefit from fresh produce such as fruit and vegetables, bakery products, meat, cheese and ready meals.

Jez Butwell, store director for Tesco Express, Haven Green, said the scheme hopes to help more “vulnerable people” in the borough.

“At Tesco, we have no time for waste,” he said.

Tesco has launched a community food-share scheme in Ealing express stores

“We’re so proud to already support local charities and community groups through Community Food Connection from our larger stores in Ealing and to be able to extend that support to our convenience stores is fantastic.

“We are looking forward to forging more strong links with local charities and community groups in Ealing , and supporting their efforts to help more vulnerable people in our community.”

The expansion hopes to “significantly extend” the number of charities reached and the number of meals given to people in need.

Groups to benefit from the scheme include homeless shelters, substance abuse rehabilitation services, after-school clubs, food banks and domestic violence refuges.

Tesco Express stores in Ealing will soon be participating in the food-share scheme

The announcement on Tuesday (August 22) comes after Tesco pledged to ensure no food fit for human consumption will go to waste from their UK retail operations by the end of 2017.

Tesco’s programme, with FareShare, recruits and supports charities and community groups, linking them to Tesco stores via an app.

If you are a charity or community group that could benefit from the support of Community Food Connection, visit their website to register.

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