Morrisons has donated £45,000 to the Community Fridge Network, a food surplus scheme run by environmental charity Hubbub.
The money will be used to increase the current network of 31 community fridges to 58 by November. The fridges are stocked with edible surplus food from local businesses and households and are open to everyone in the community to access.
According to the group food waste remains a huge issue in the UK, with £13bn of edible food thrown away from homes every year, with a further £3bn of food wasted by the hospitality and food service sector.
Morrisons stores are already donating edible surplus food to community fridges in Sheffield, Frome and Shildon (Durham) and will aim to set up close partnerships with five new stores.
David Scott from the Morrisons Foundation said: “We are delighted to support The Community Fridge network and their efforts to ensure that more edible surplus food is redistributed rather than thrown away.”
Trewin Restorick, CEO of Hubbub said: “Every community should have a community fridge. It’s a wonderfully simple way to stop fresh food from going to waste and it’s fantastic to see organisations like the Morrisons Foundation supporting the Community Fridge Network.
“With more investment and support from big businesses, we can make sure so much more fresh food is enjoyed and not destroyed.”
