Welcoming the Lord-Lieutenant to FareShare North East

On Tuesday 20 October, FareShare North East welcomed the Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear and her Deputy Lieutenants to their Newcastle warehouse. The group met volunteers, toured the operations, and learned more about how surplus food is redistributed to charities and community groups across the region.

Lucy Winskell, OBE, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, serves as the King’s representative in the county. She is actively involved in community and civic life and is committed to supporting organisations and voluntary serves across Tyne and Wear. She was joined by a few of her Deputy Lieutenants, John Robinson, Chris Tearney and Geoff Miller.

Behind the Scenes of Food Redistribution

During the visit, the group was shown how surplus food moves through the warehouse, from arrival at the loading bay to distribution out into communities across the North East. Each week, the Newcastle warehouse handles around 26.5 tonnes of food, enough to provide just over 63,000 meals for local charities, community groups and schools instead of going to waste.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Ms Winskell, said:

“I was delighted to visit FareShare and better understand the service which they provide. I was particularly impressed by the scale of their operation and the way in which they are able to support many foodbanks and other community groups across the entire region. Their efforts mean that food is not wasted but directed to those most in need who quite clearly benefit from it. All this is achieved by a small team of staff who are enthusiastically supported by many volunteers who readily give their time.”

The visit held a personal connection too, as Lucy’s husband, John, proudly volunteers as a driver for the charity (pictured on the left below).

The Impact of Surplus Food Across the Region

Ms Winskell also received an overview of the charity’s wider work and impact, learning how surplus food from across the food industry supports more than 235 charities, community groups and schools throughout the region, helping strengthen communities while reducing food waste. In 2025, FareShare North East redistributed 1,820 tonnes of surplus food, enough to create 4.33 million meals with a value of £6.38 million.

FareShare North East’s Director of Development, Ruth Jackson, who led the visit, said, “It was a pleasure to welcome the Lord-Lieutenant to our Newcastle warehouse and share the incredible work being carried out every day by our volunteers, staff, food partners and community organisations. Visits like this help raise awareness of how surplus food can create positive change across our region.”

The Power of Partnership

The visit concluded at The Wicker Chair Coffee Shop and Deli, where the group met Camilla and her team and saw how surplus food from FareShare North East’s warehouse can be transformed into affordable, nutritious meals for the local community. Run by JET, the café also provides valuable training, employment and volunteering opportunities, helping people build skills, confidence and connections while reducing food waste. We know John definitely enjoys a coffee and a chat after his driving shift!

We were delighted to have the opportunity to share our work with the Lord-Lieutenant and her Deputy Lieutenants, and to showcase the people and partnerships behind FareShare North East’s work. From the volunteers who give their time each week to the community organisations supporting people across the region, it highlighted how working together can turn surplus food into a force for good, creating lasting benefits for both communities and the environment.

Photos by Steve Brock Photography