FareShare accepts good-quality surplus food that is still within its use-by or best-before date. This includes fresh, chilled, frozen, and ambient goods such as fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, bakery items, tins, and packaged groceries. We also have a best-before extension policy on ambient goods. Please read here.

Yes. We can accept short-dated, over-ordered, or mislabelled products – as long as they are safe for consumption and comply with food safety legislation.

Here is a list of the types of food we can accept:

• Packaging/labelling errors
• Seasonal stock/obsolete lines
• Retailer rejections
• Manufacturing errors
• Quality rejections
• Forecasting errors
• Damages
• Loose stock
• NPD Trials/Samples
• Ambient stock and fruit & veg past its BBE (See policy)

Yes. Because most food waste occurs in the supply chain before products reach supermarket shelves, we work closely with manufacturers and hauliers to make donating easy. FareShare has authorisations from major retailers including Asda, Aldi, Booker, Co-op, Lidl, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose.

FareShare primarily works with food manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and farmers. However, if you’re an individual or community group looking to support us, we encourage you to donate through a local food collection or fundraiser instead.

No. We work with both small and large suppliers – from local producers to national retailers. Whether it’s a few items or a regular supply, we can help redistribute it efficiently.

All food is handled safely and stored in temperature-controlled facilities at our warehouse in Mallusk before being redistributed to charities, schools, and community organisations across Northern Ireland.

We supply surplus food to a network of community organisations – including homeless hostels, social supermarkets, schools, and community kitchens – that use it to prepare meals and support people in need.

No, donating food to FareShare is completely free. We simply ask that the food meets our quality and safety standards.

Yes. Depending on your location and volume, our drivers can collect from your site. We also welcome direct deliveries to our Mallusk warehouse.

Food safety is key to everything we do, and we operate to exactly the same standards as the food and drink industry. Our food management systems ensure full compliance and traceability, and our Regional Centres are independently audited every year.

https://fareshare.org.uk/giving-food/how-we-look-after-your-food/

Donating food helps reduce waste, lower disposal costs, and support corporate sustainability goals. It also makes a real difference to local communities while showcasing your business’s social responsibility. You will also receive a report each month that outlines the impact of your donations, including equivalent meals donated, Community Food Member’s (CFM’s) supported, and C02E avoided through food redistribution

It’s simple. Get in touch with our team at fiona.currie@fareshareni.org.uk or call 07759129140. We’ll discuss what food you have available and how we can make the process easy for you. You can also book a tour of the warehouse.