Tesco launch ‘reverse supermarket’ to support food banks
By Shadia Muse on Monday, November 28, 2022
Tesco opens its first-ever ‘reverse supermarket’ in a partnership with FareShare and the Trussell Trust.
It will be open for 3 days and will be looking to provide for over 1.2 million families with food this winter.
‘The Give Back Express’ store will be located on Poland Street in London’s West End and is open from 25th-27th November.
The initiative will invite shoppers to buy and donate the 25 most needed goods and essentials such as tinned food, tea, and toiletries identified by both charities.
Customers just have to pay for their shopping and Tesco will match the value of their shop to give to the charities.
All shoppers can get involved as items will start from as little as 40p.
FareShare is forecasting that the scheme will result in more than 13,000 tonnes of food being redistributed to people this winter.
It comes after the Trussell Trust reported that 320,000 people used a food bank for the first time between April to September this year, and, worryingly, the need for them is continuing to rise.
Speaking about the scheme, Ken Murphy, Tesco Group Chief Executive, said: “This winter will be increasingly challenging for many people facing food uncertainty, and food banks and frontline charities need our help more than ever before.
“We have been working with FareShare and the Trussell Trust for 10 years and during this time, our generous customers have helped donate over 100 million meals to communities across the UK, with Tesco topping up donations by 20%.
“Whether it’s at the Give Back Express; in your local store through our annual Food Collection; or via your Clubcard points online, even the smallest donation can make a real difference and help to spread a little more Christmas joy this year.”
And FareShare CEO’s Lindsay Boswell, added: “The cost-of-living crisis is driving millions of people into food insecurity.
“At a time when food prices and energy bills are rising, the demand for food from FareShare has skyrocketed with 75% of our charities telling us they need access to more food.
“What we are also hearing from the charities we support is that this situation will only worsen, and they are worried they may not be able to meet the extra demand this winter.
“As we prepare for a challenging winter, The Give Back Express will help us to raise awareness around the work we are doing across the UK to provide food to people facing economic hardship and enable us to show shoppers how they can support us with vital donations via our partner Tesco.”
