Air Partner, the global aviation services group, has supported the FareShare Sussex, nearby to the Air Partner UK headquarters in Gatwick. FareShare is the UK’s biggest charity fighting hunger and food waste which redistributes surplus food to charities that turn it into meals.
According to FareShare Sussex, 2 million tonnes of good-to-eat food is wasted across the food industry each year. Its vision is to use surplus, fit for consumption food to feed those who are vulnerable in the UK by supporting front line charitable organisations that tackle the cause and not just the symptoms of poverty. To date, 55,046 tonnes of food have been redistributed to charities in the UK.
Air Partner has provided a donation to the charity, equivalent to 40,000 meals across the county which will help the charity to deliver more healthy, nutritious food to the food banks, community groups, activity schemes and schools supporting the UK’s most vulnerable children during this crisis. Several employees were able to take part in a day of volunteering, helping to sort and pack food at the warehouse, and load up the lorries ready for the packages to be delivered to frontline charities feeding people in need.
As part of Air Partner’s long-term sustainability strategy, it is committed to developing its people and giving them opportunities to support and protect local communities wherever possible. Air Partner also works with the Charlie Waller Trust to provide the education and skills to build positive mental health throughout the group and promote a positive work culture.
It also partners with Raleigh International, a youth organisation working to address climate change by appointing project leaders on Raleigh International’s conservation initiatives that involve rewilding and nature conservation, while raising funds to support sustainability goals. Project leaders also receive training on environmental campaigning skills and oversee the development and health & safety of a group of young volunteers aged 18-24.
Commenting on the donation, ESG Manager, Air Partner, Greg Charman said:
“Our employees had a fantastic day supporting the FareShare volunteers in Sussex, and we are delighted to be providing a donation, helping this fantastic organisation to deliver more surplus food to charities and people in need in the local area. We are passionate about giving our employees opportunities to support great causes and give back to the wider community however they can.”
Rob Orme, CEO at FareShare Sussex commented: "We are really grateful for Air Partner's donation which will help provide food for 40,000 meals for vulnerable people across Sussex and Surrey. It will make a real difference at this time of the year and when so many people are in food poverty.
It will also prevent food from going to waste, saving the environment from 4.35 tonnes of harmful carbon emissions. The Air Partner team also volunteered at our warehouse helping to make up the food orders for our projects, loading and going out on the vans for deliveries. It was a great time for team building and they really got stuck in with our fantastic volunteers!"
Learn more about Air Partner’s ESG strategy here.