A supermarket in Wokingham has made a New Year’s resolution that will make a real difference to the borough.
The My Local store in Market Place has teamed up with the Wokingham Foodbank and the Salvation Army to ensure that no food is wasted.
The new partnership will see the Army and the foodbank receive food that would otherwise be thrown out as it is close to its sell-by or use-by date. The organisations can then use them to help feed hungry people.
The scheme is not the only way that the store, which opened in October, will help. Its manager, James Fellows, said that the store wants to become an active part of the community, particularly within a one-mile radius.
Mr Fellows said: “Although we’ve not been open very long, we’ve made this move a priority as it’s important to us and our staff. We hope over the course of the next few weeks, months and years, we might be able to make a real difference to our local community.”
As part of this, the store will become a foodbank collection point, so shoppers can buy goods for the Rose Street based organisation and donate in store.
Mr Fellows added: “As part of the launch we will be also collecting money In our till collection points. We have already raised over £85 which we today split to give to the charities.”
The move has been been welcomed by the two charities.
The Salvation Army’s Jan Howlin said: “It is so refreshing to see a company give good product away instead of throwing it away. We are delighted to be partnered now with My Local.”
David Atkinson from the Wokingham food bank, said: “It is fantastic we can all work together with local business to help the most needy this wintertime in Wokingham.”
