FareShare North East has received £50,000 in unrestricted core funding from the Garfield Weston Foundation, a contribution that will strengthen our vital food redistribution work across the region over the next year.

As the region’s largest food redistribution charity, we work with the food industry to rescue good-to-eat surplus food and deliver it to over 260 charities and community groups – from community cafés and youth clubs to pantries and wellbeing centres. Last year alone, we redistributed 1,630 tonnes of food, the equivalent of 3.89 million meals, while also preventing over 3,310 tonnes of CO₂ from entering the atmosphere.

This generous grant comes at a crucial time. The volume and type of surplus food available in the UK is changing, with more food arriving in bulk formats and fresh produce. Supporting our operational capacity ensures we can continue innovating, from refill stations for pantries to cooking workshops and new community partnerships, so that more groups can make the most of this nutritious food.

Why core costs matter

Unrestricted funding is particularly powerful for a charity like ours. It allows us to invest in the backbone of our operation: our warehouses, vehicles, volunteer support, technology, and the teams who keep everything running smoothly.

Our CEO, Jake Hanmore, said:

“Core funding is what keeps the wheels turning – quite literally. It allows us to plan, stay resilient, and adapt as the surplus food landscape evolves. This support from the Garfield Weston Foundation means we can continue redistributing high-quality surplus food across the North East while reducing waste and protecting the planet. We’re incredibly grateful for their commitment to our mission.”

The grant will directly strengthen our daily operations from our Westerhope and Middlesbrough depots, helping us reach communities from Berwick to Barnard Castle and down to Loftus. As we look toward expanding our impact in the Tees Valley in 2026, this funding gives us the stability needed to grow responsibly and sustainably.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Garfield Weston Foundation for recognising the importance of long-term, practical, environmental solutions to food waste. Their support helps ensure more good food is put to good use in protecting resources, reducing emissions and strengthening communities across the North East.

It’s been a big year at FareShare North East, and one we’re incredibly proud to share.

Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, the commitment of our Community Food Members and the support of our partners, we’ve kept good food moving where it can make the greatest difference – instead of going to waste.

Over the past year, 1,820 tonnes of surplus food were redistributed through our network, creating the equivalent of 4.33 million meals across the region. That food supported 272 Community Food Members, reaching over 31,000 people every week through trusted local organisations.

Fresh food remained a key focus, with an average of 2.86 tonnes of fresh vegetables per Community Food Member, helping community groups offer more nutritious and varied food.

This work was powered by people. 243 volunteers gave an incredible 25,135 hours, keeping our warehouse running and food flowing. By saving food from waste, we also prevented 3,458 tonnes of CO2 and saved 4.6 billion litres of water – a win for communities and for the planet.

Thank you for being part of it, and for helping keep good food moving.

View our year in impact over on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

FareShare North East is delighted to announce that Karbon Homes has pledged £25,800 towards the creation of a new Clean Room at our Newcastle warehouse – a vital development that will significantly expand our ability to save good food from going to waste.

The pledge, made through Karbon’s Social Value Fund, represents half of the total cost needed to build and equip the modular, temperature-controlled facility. Once in place, the Clean Room will allow FareShare North East to safely decant and repackage bulk surplus food into smaller, more accessible portions, unlocking food that currently cannot be redistributed in its existing format.

This simple but powerful addition will be transformational for our regional operation, enabling us to make hundreds of tonnes of surplus food available to community organisations over the coming years.

However, to activate Karbon Homes’ generous donation, FareShare North East must first secure the remaining funding required.

FareShare staff at Clean Room in Nottingham.

A Step-Change in Food Rescue for the North East

The environmental and community impact of this project is substantial:

• 50 tonnes of surplus food redistributed in the first year
• Rising to 90 tonnes in year two
• And 130 tonnes in year three

In total, that’s the equivalent of 642,600 meals made possible, all from food that already exists and would otherwise risk going to waste.

By preventing this surplus from going to landfill or anaerobic digestion, the Clean Room will also save an estimated 548 tonnes of embedded CO₂ over three years, supporting the region’s net zero ambitions.

A Practical, Scalable Solution

The Clean Room is a fully modular, stand-alone food-safe environment that does not require building regulations. It can be dismantled, moved, and reassembled if required, giving FareShare North East the flexibility to respond to future growth and operational needs.

Seeking Partners to Bring This Project to Life

With Karbon Homes’ commitment already in place, FareShare North East is now inviting organisations to partner with us to secure the remaining funding and make this essential facility a reality.

“This investment from Karbon Homes opens the door to a step-change in our food rescue work,” said Joe Dunne, Director of Social Enterprise at FareShare North East.
“With the final funding secured, we can unlock hundreds of tonnes of good food for communities, while delivering significant carbon savings for the region.”

Organisations and stakeholders interested in supporting the project can find out more via the North East Combined Authority Carbon Marketplace:

https://marketplace.netzeronortheastengland.co.uk/hub/invest/168

FareShare North East took part in The Big Give – a UK match-funding campaign that helps charities double their donations.

We’re really pleased to share some brilliant news as the Big Give week comes to a close at 12 noon on Tuesday 9th December 2025.

Thanks to your generosity and the support of so many people across the North East, we’ve not only reached our £20,000 target, we’ve passed it!

Because of match funding, every gift has gone even further. That total is equivalent to around 170,000 meals’ worth of surplus food that can now be rescued instead of going to waste and redistributed to charities and community groups across our region.

From one-off donations to campaign shares and encouraging messages, every bit of support has made a real difference.

You’ve helped us:

• Save good food from being wasted

• Cut unnecessary carbon emissions

• Get quality surplus food to the community projects that can use it best

We’re incredibly grateful for your kindness and belief in what we do at FareShare North East.

Thank you once again for helping make this Big Give campaign such a success.

With gratitude,
Team FareShare North East

View the final total

This Trustees’ Week, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible individuals who help guide FareShare North East: our Board of Trustees.

Our trustees bring a wealth of experience, insight and dedication to our mission – ensuring that good food doesn’t go to waste, and instead supports communities across the North East. Their leadership helps shape our strategy, keep us accountable, and steer our work in the right direction as we continue to grow our impact.

To mark the occasion, we’ve launched a new Trustees page on our website, where you can meet the people behind the produce. Each trustee shares a short bio, giving a glimpse into their background and why they choose to support our work.

As part of a recent creative shoot, our trustees even got involved in filming content for our upcoming Big Give fundraising campaign – complete with apples, finger snaps and a few magical vegetables. We’re grateful not just for their guidance, but for their good humour and enthusiasm in helping us spread the word.

To all our trustees: thank you for your time, your commitment, and your belief in a fairer, more sustainable food system. We’re so glad to have you with us on this journey.

Meet our Trustees

A huge shout-out to FareShare North East’s 13 heroic runners in the 2025 Great North Run this year, raising over £5,000!

Special highlights include:

• CEO, Jake Hanmore, looking proud as punch to finish.
• Volunteer Ruth Stokes, who wore her heart, and our apple, on her nails.

Ruth’s run had a twist: the visually impaired runner she was guiding had to drop out after seven miles due to health issues. But Ruth was determined. She went ahead and organised her own “Great North Run” with her club, the Prudhoe Plodders, complete with a finish line, cheering squad, and even a custom medal!

She’s raised £500 for FareShare North East, every penny of it turning surplus food into support for local communities.

Read Ruth's Story on Facebook