Member Article

Approved Food’s double donation to feed the hungry this Christmas

Big-hearted bosses at online retailer Approved Food have made a double donation to good causes to ensure families in crisis will have food on the table this Christmas. The Barnsley-based company has given provisions worth hundreds of pounds to the Welcome Centre in Huddersfield and donated food and toiletries to Huddersfield Street Kitchen, that provides hot meals for the homeless in MD Andy Needham’s hometown. The business – the UK’s largest online only retailer of surplus food and drink – has donated several pallets of canned food, cooking sauces, packet soups, pet food, household goods and feminine hygiene products. It is estimated that more people than ever will need to use a food bank this Christmas. The Trussell Trust said 23% more food parcels had been handed out this year compared with the same period in 2018. As December is usually the busiest month of the year for food banks, this could see a sharp rise in the number of people using their services this festive season. Between April and September 2019, almost 48,000 parcels were handed out in Yorkshire and Humberside alone. Donations to the Welcome Centre are a result of Approved Food’s pledge to match contributions from supporters of Huddersfield Town Foundation’s recent Little Big Sleep-out. The company also provided hot chocolate and snacks for those who took part in the event in October to coincide with World Food Day. Batley Food Bank also benefited from donations collected as part of the event. Mr Needham – a lifelong Town supporter – has donated many thousands of pounds worth of food and drink to good causes since the company was set up 10 years ago. He said: “Sadly, it is likely that more people than ever will need to use a food bank this December – or indeed the services of Huddersfield Street Kitchen, that provides a hot meal for homeless people. “It goes without saying that we are more than happy to support such excellent causes and to help put food onto the plates of those who really need it this Christmas.” Approved Food is the UK’s biggest exclusively online retailer of surplus food and drink, specialising in products that would otherwise go to waste such as short-dated food and drink, cancelled orders and goods with outdated packaging or in less popular flavours. Established a decade ago, highlights include TV appearances on Dragons’ Den, Loose Women and Food Fighters. In May, Approved Food was praised by the then Secretary of State for the Environment Michael Gove for its work to reduce food waste through awareness of the difference between use by and best before dates.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Kate Wobschall .