Marks & Spencer has announced a donation of 100,000 Christmas dinners to families in need, in partnership with its long-term suppliers 2 Sisters Food Group (2SFG) and Valeo Foods Group. As part of the retailer’s ongoing work supporting the Kings Coronation Food Project, FareShare will distribute the freshly prepared products to their network of charities and community groups to enjoy over the festive period.
M&S will donate 240,000 portions of vegetables across its Christmas lines, ensuring everyone can enjoy two servings of vegetables with their meal. These include festive favourites like prepared Roast Potatoes, Roast Parsnips, Carrot & Swede Crush, Red Cabbage, Brussel Sprouts, and Cauliflower Cheese, all produced at the Carlisle 2SFG site.
In addition, 100,000 servings of turkey crowns have been donated by Bernard Matthews, and 1,800 pots of Bisto Turkey gravy granules will be provided by Premier Foods. Families will also receive a Matthew Walker Christmas Pudding, a brand owned by Valeo Foods Group, completing the full Christmas dinner experience. The products will be collected by FareShare on 20 December to be distributed to local charities across the UK, including community centres, homelessness charities, lunch clubs and youth centres. Over three quarters of charities FareShare provides food to support children and families. This donation will help those who might otherwise be unable to celebrate this festive season.
Earlier this year M&S announced a £1m investment to redistribute surplus ingredients and spare capacity within its supply chain to support the Kings Coronation Project. In partnership with 2SFG, the retailer is donating three new specially developed, nutritionally balanced, and freshly prepared M&S quality family meals, with more than 1.5 million servings going to families in need via FareShare.
Alex Freudmann, managing director at M&S Food, said: “At M&S we are committed to doing the right thing for the people and communities we serve. I’m delighted that this year, in partnership with our suppliers, we’re helping families in need by providing 100,000 Christmas dinners in time for the big day, through our ongoing work supporting FareShare.”
Ranjit Singh Boparan, founder and president of 2 Sisters Food Group: “We are delighted to be involved in this festive donation with FareShare to provide 100,000 Christmas meals for those that need it most at this time of year. We are very proud to be part of this powerful alliance between Marks & Spencer, Bernard Matthews, Valeo Foods Group and Premier Foods which brings together retailers, manufacturers and suppliers to make this possible. I appreciate the support that Valeo Foods and Premier Foods have given in donating the Christmas puddings and gravy granules. I made just one call to the CEO’s and they stepped forward with these generous donations. Without the support of M&S, Valeo Foods, Premier Foods and 2SFG, none of this would be possible. The flexibility the teams have shown and their generosity in giving up their own time has made all this possible, and I applaud everyone for their efforts.”
Ronald Kers, Group CEO of Valeo Foods said: ”At Valeo Foods Group, we are deeply committed to giving back to the communities that support us. This Christmas, we are proud to join forces with FareShare, M&S, and 2 Sisters to provide 100,000 Christmas meals to families across the UK. Together, we’re helping to ensure that everyone can celebrate the season with dignity, warmth, and joy.”
Kris Gibbon-Walsh, CEO of FareShare, said: “We are enormously grateful to M&S, 2 Sisters Food Group, and Valeo Foods Group for joining forces to help deliver 100,000 meals for people in need over the festive period. At this time of year food brings people together through charities, who offer warmth and connection during the winter months, strengthening communities across the UK. The collaborative effort created by the Coronation Food Project has set a great example for how working together in partnership can make a huge difference in helping support those in need, changing lives and even bringing some festive cheer.”
The partnership also builds on M&S’ food redistribution scheme with its long-standing partner, Neighbourly, which over the past seven years has donated more than 70 million products – products which are too good to waste – to more than 1,450 local charities and community organisations.
This year, as part of Neighbourly’s GoGive campaign, Fund a Fridge is supporting UK food charities over the winter by helping them raise funds for a fridge or freezer allowing them to receive more fresh surplus food and feed more people. M&S Food has supported the campaign by donating £20,000 to help 40 local good causes purchase additional fridges or freezers to help increase the amount of food that can be given out.
The retailer is also celebrating 20 years in partnership with Shelter, once again donating 5% of sales from the Christmas Food On The Move range to the charity. The money raised will go towards supporting Shelter’s emergency helpline, supporting the millions of people every year struggling with housing issues or homelessness.
