SHOPPERS can join the fight to combat food poverty, thanks to a donation scheme.

FareShare North Wales, a community food network run by Llandudno Junction based Crest Co-operative, is holding food drives at three shops across the Conwy area, in a bid to relieve food poverty in the county.

Harold Aldridge, Shop Chairman of Llandudno Lions collects food for FareShare

Tinned food, cereals, coffee and other ambient foods can be donated at Crest’s two community stores in Colwyn Bay and Llandudno Junction.
Donations can also be made at Llandudno Lion’s charity shop, Madoc Street.

Trolleys and crates have been placed in the stores and shoppers can collect a shopping list, which lists items that are needed to provide healthy meals for vulnerable people in Conwy and Denbighshire.

Food donations will be re-distributed to community groups, working to support homeless and vulnerable people in North Wales.

Harold Aldridge, Shop Chairman for Llandudno Lions, said: “We have supported many good causes over the years. We decided to support FareShare North Wales, because we all felt that homeless and vulnerable people in our area need as much support as possible.”

FareShare North Wales works with the food industry to redistribute good quality, in-date food that would otherwise be sent to landfill, to the people who need healthy, nutritious meals. Since the project was established in 2010, FareShare has seen a 54 per cent increase in demand for food from Conwy and Denbighshire community groups.

Community groups currently benefiting from the scheme include adults’ hospice St Kentigerns, Potens, which operates residential day centres for adults with learning disabilities across Conwy and many more.

FareShare North Wales is currently working with Foodworx West Rhyl First to
provide food for low income families.

Wyn Randle, project leader at Rhyl Youth Action Group, a drop-in centre for young people, said: “Since we joined FareShare we have been able to offer our young people healthy meals every night. They learn how to cook nutritious meals and learn important life skills.”

To donate to FareShare visit Crest Community Store at 21
Station Road, Colwyn Bay or Ferry Farm Road, Llandudno Junction. A food
collection point is also situated at Llandudno Lions Charity Shop, Madoc
Street. For further information call 01492 596783 or visit www.crestcooperative.co.uk.