To mark Ocado Retail’s fifth year supporting The Felix Project, the UK’s largest dedicated online supermarket has donated over 73,380 meals to families in need from Christmas donations.
Exceeding its donation target of 45,000 meals by 64%, Ocado Retail has donated one meal to The Felix Project for every chocolate advent calendar sold at the start of the festive period.
The donation brings Ocado Retail’s donation to £2.9 million since the partnership began in an effort to save food that cannot be sold and could otherwise go to waste.
As part of the £2.9 million donation helping provide meals for charities and families in London, Ocado Retail has donated £1.5 million to support projects like Farm to Freezer. This initiative focuses on offering an alternative way for farmers to utilise surplus food, including developing innovative methods to prolong the life of fresh produce by juicing, jamming, cutting, saucing, chopping and freezing.
Jonathan Wiseman, general counsel and chief people officer at Ocado Retail, said: “Our ongoing work with The Felix Project helps deliver food to families in need that would otherwise go to waste, creating nutritious and comforting meals. As food plays a central role in our customers’ holiday celebrations, thanks to their support, we are incredibly proud to have provided more than 73,380 meals for those who need it the most. We look forward to continuing our partnership and helping provide more meals for those in need in the new year.”
This Christmas, Ocado Retail is also providing over 3,000 Christmas bundles at 13 Community Shop stores across the UK with Marks & Spencer. These include beef joints, M&S chocolate coins and thousands of vouchers so members can fill their baskets for Christmas day. The online retailer will also donate surplus festive food on Christmas Eve to ensure it is put to good use as well as supporting many local schools and community groups through its Charitable Giving Voucher Scheme.