Boost for charity which fights hunger in Brighton and Hove

Cllr Dee Simson, the mayor of Brighton and Hove, helped celebrate the news with FareShare Sussex, which provides surplus food to more than 120 community groups in the area – including homeless hostels, school breakfast clubs, rehabilitation centres and lunch clubs.

The new equipment will help FareShare Sussex to recruit more than 17 new local charities and community groups in the next year, which will in turn help to feed a further 1,800 vulnerable people across the region each week.

The cash came from Asda's Fight Hunger Create Change programme, which aims to lift one million people out of food poverty across the UK.

Rachel Carless, development manager at FareShare Sussex, said: “Fareshare Sussex began life as a small team with big ambitions, redistributing food to a handful of frontline local organisations.

“Since then, the project has grown year on year and last year we saved 475 tonnes of food from waste - equivalent to over 1.1 million meals – a phenomenal achievement that is testament to the tireless dedication of our volunteers and staff.

“But we know there is a demand for more support – in Sussex alone, 40 wards are among the top 20 percent most deprived areas in England.

“The need for our service has never been higher - which is why we are so grateful to Asda for their generous funding, that brings our vision of ensuring no good food goes to waste closer to a reality.

“If you would like to get involved and support, either by donating or volunteering, please get in touch – just £1 enables FareShare to provide a meal for a family of four, and a few hours of your time volunteering can also make a real difference.”

Maria Allen, Asda Community Champion, said: “By bringing FareShare and the Trussell Trust together and investing in their infrastructure and essential services, we can help thousands more vulnerable people in Sussex and millions nationwide access good quality fresh food. Ultimately, our aim is to change the face of food poverty in this country and make sure nobody goes hungry.”

To find out how you can support FareShare, visit: www.fareshare.org.uk