Mike Pringle MSP has called on the Scottish Government, supermarkets and businesses to back Cyrenians FareShare’s campaign to redistribute excess food to the homeless and disadvantaged this Christmas, and for the coming year.

Every year supermarkets and other food outlets buy in extra stock for festive season, much of which remains unsold and then goes to waste. It is estimated that every year Scotland throws away around £800 million of food, the majority of which ends up in landfill. FareShare are appealing to supermarkets and other businesses that have excess food which is still in date to contact them to help those in food poverty and the environment.

Commenting, Mr Pringle said:

“The Scottish Government made a commitment earlier this year to recycle 70 per cent of Scotland’s waste by 2025.

“If they are going to achieve this objective a key factor will be ensuring that good food does not go to waste in the first place.

“I’m calling on the Government, supermarkets and businesses to back FareShare this festive season and for the coming year, to help those in food poverty.”

Carol-Anne Alcorn, Project manager of Cyrenians FareShare Edinburgh and Lothians added:

“Last year food that FareShare redistributed contributed to over 4.5 million meals across the UK. Redistributing food is a win win solution for the disadvantaged and the environment; it not only helps the needy but reduces the volume of waste going to landfill and helps businesses reduce CO2 emissions.

“Thousands of people across Scotland live in food poverty all year round and the food we provide makes a real difference.

“No good food should be wasted this year.”