Sodexo Prestige and Fareshare

Being part of one of the world's largest catering companies can have its advantages.  Our Christmas lunch is without doubt one of the best in the UK, we're never short of cutlery, and best of all, we can actually make a difference in people's lives.

I experienced this first hand yesterday when I joined the team at Fareshare in Bermondsey in London to distribute food to homeless shelters and hostels around the South-East.  Fareshare is one of Sodexo's charitable partners, and as part of the Sodexo 'Stop Hunger' campaign, we lend support, both financially, logistically and practically.  But what exactly does Fareshare do?  I hear you ask.

Well, the catering and retail industry produces a lot of waste.  Whilst an element of this is unavoidable (food past its use by date etc.), quite a lot of it is absolutely fine.  This second category comes as a result of over ordering, sample packs, poorly printed packaging etc; all food that can't be sold in shops or restaurants, but is still perfectly edible.  Fareshare take this food from retailers such as Sainsburies and Marks and Spencers, and caterers such as ourselves, and redistributes it where it is needed the most.  And it was my mission to help with this redistribution.

The day started early, as I had to be in Bermondsey by 8.30am.  I was joined by Sodexo Prestige Chef Chris, who had travelled all the way from Ickworth House in Suffolk to join us (and I was complaining about my early start!).  The two of us started by separating the food into hostel specific orders and loading them into the Sodexo sponsored van.  Two back breaking hours later and we were whizzing around the back streets of London on our way to Manna, a hostel set up in the shadows of London Bridge to help the young and homeless.  The hostels were a revelation - I initially had preconceptions of run down housing estates, but the reality was of well maintained and friendly youth centres, trying their best to help the kids.  The food was seen as an essential means to an end - a hook to bring the kids through the door, so they could then begin the process of turning their lives around.

Three hostels, two half way houses, a kids outreach centre, and a stop off at the central Sainsburies depot in the City to collect a fresh array of fruit and veg, and we were heading back to Bermondsey to start the food sorting and selection for the following shift, concluding what was, without a doubt a tiring but satisfying day.  Fareshare relies on volunteers, so if you'd like a day out of the office and a sense of doing the right thing, drop Jere Thomas a line on 020 7394 2463 / 2473 or email jeredine.thomas@fareshare.org.uk.