ASHLEY WALTERS VISITS HACKNEY KITCHEN TO SEE JUST HOW MCDONALD’S AND FARESHARE HAVE HELPED THE LOCAL COMMUNITY THIS YEAR

ASHLEY WALTERS VISITS HACKNEY KITCHEN TO SEE JUST HOW MCDONALD’S AND FARESHARE HAVE HELPED THE LOCAL COMMUNITY THIS YEAR

• British actor and rapper, Ashley Walters visited a Hackney community kitchen who are supported by their local FareShare facility
• McDonald’s supply chain is directly connected with FareShare to minimise food waste by ensuring surplus food gets to the families that need it most
• Over 12 months, together with its customers, franchisees and suppliers, McDonald’s UK will have enabled the redistribution of more than 2 million* meals to families in need.

Over 12 months, together with its customers, franchisees and suppliers, McDonald’s UK will have enabled the redistribution of more than 2 million* meals to families in need.

The company donated over 200 tonnes of food to FareShare as part of its ongoing partnership with the food poverty charity, established in October 2020. To date, McDonald’s funding alone has help redistribute the equivalent of over 12 million** meals in the past three years.

To celebrate this year, Ashley Walters visited Idia’s community kitchen in Hackney, London who are supported by their local FareShare facility to see just how the food and funding from McDonald’s will help this Christmas and to find out more about how FareShare’s crucial centres and distributions help local communities.

During his visit, he met with staff and volunteers to learn more about the essential effort the charity does for families who need a helping hand, as well as delivering donations on behalf of McDonald’s and its suppliers. Ashley helped volunteers with cooking as well as unpacking supplies delivered to the local charity.

When asked about his visit, Ashley Walters said: “It’s clear to see that McDonald’s is committed to supporting and serving the communities in which they operate. In these continued times of uncertainty, we know it’s still so important to support those most in need and I admire the fantastic work that FareShare does to support families facing very tough situations.”

McDonald’s is committed to supporting families both in times of celebration and need, through long-standing charity partnerships, as well as moments of joy and the national effort to fight food poverty as Ashley was able to see first-hand.

Polly Bianchi, Director of Fundraising, FareShare said: "We are incredibly grateful to McDonald’s for their kindness and generosity this winter, which will provide much needed help to many thousands of people across the UK who are facing highly challenging circumstances. The funding will enable the equivalent of two million meals to be redistributed to our network of 8,500 charities and community groups across the UK. These charities help tackle the root causes of poverty, which include homelessness shelters, after school clubs and older people’s lunch clubs."

--ENDS –

Notes to Editors

For more information, images or video content, please contact McDonaldsFareShare@redconsultancy.com

*This support for FareShare (Registered Charity Number 1100051) comprises of surplus food received and funds generated or committed between 1^st November 2022 and 31^st October 2023 and whereby 420g of mixed foods equates to 1 meal following WRAP’s guidelines and 25p enables the redistribution of enough food for the equivalent of 1 meal.

**This support for FareShare (Registered Charity Number 1100051) comprises of surplus food received and funds generated or committed between 1^st January 2020 and 31^st October 2023 and whereby 420g of mixed foods equates to 1 meal following WRAP’s guidelines and 25p enables the redistribution of enough food for the equivalent of 1 meal.

About FareShare

FareShare is the UK's biggest charity tackling food waste to support social good. We take good-to-eat surplus food from across the food industry, sort it in our regional warehouses across the UK, and pass it onto a network of over 8,500 charities and community groups. These include school clubs, community centres and pantries, hostels, refuges, older people's lunch clubs, and hospices. Three quarters of the organisations we provide food to, support children and families. During the last financial year, 2022-23, FareShare redistributed the equivalent of nearly 128 million meals - that's 4 meals every second.  The 55,000 tonnes of food we redistributed stopped 95,000 tonnes of COe2 going to waste.  www.fareshare.org.uk