Haverfordwest-based Puffin Produce is one of many businesses in the food supply chain working hard in the fight against food poverty.

Pembrokeshire’s Puffin Produce supports food charity FareShare’s ‘Surplus with Purpose’ scheme, which works to cover the extra costs of redistributing unsold food that is still good to eat, preventing it going to waste. To date, produce donated by Puffin has been used to create two million meals for people in need across Wales.

Puffin Produce - the largest supplier of Welsh produce in Wales, supplying potatoes and seasonal vegetables to retailers and wholesalers - has been working with FareShare for over five years.

“Reducing food waste is integral to us and if we can do this while helping charities across the UK, this is perfect synergy,” said Matthew Thomas, Head of Sales and Marketing.

“FareShare helps so many vulnerable people and communities, it’s a fabulous organisation to support. If your food supply business has any surplus produce you would normally throw away, we’d urge you to think about how this product can be redistributed to help others and reduce waste.

“The process of donating is simple and the FareShare team are on hand to support you through the entire process. The produce that we’ve donated has been used to create two million meals, a huge achievement and something we are very proud of.”

Puffin is not the only business backing the cause, with their insurer NFU Mutual also proud to continue throwing its support behind the campaign. Since 2021, the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust has backed FareShare’s fight against food poverty and has donated a total of £350,000 to the charity.

One of the charities to benefit from Puffin’s surplus product is Ystradowen Community Centre, based in Swansea. The leeks and potatoes they received allowed them to prepare nutritious meals for elderly community members.