Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I’s partnership with FareShare has supported 4,722 charities and community groups through the donation of its drinks
Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) today announced it has redistributed over 3 million surplus drinks (250ml)* of Lucozade, Ribena and Orangina to people facing food insecurity, as part of its long-term partnership with food redistribution charity FareShare.
Since 2020 SBF GB&I has given its drinks to over 4,722 charities, including: 1,460 organisations that support people on low or no income, 431 homelessness services, 239 community groups serving older people and 61 organisations serving people with mental health conditions.
As well as having a positive impact on local communities, there is also a big environmental advantage to the redistribution of these drinks due to the hidden carbon and water cost of food waste. In fact, in the UK food waste accounts for between 6 and 7% of total greenhouse gas emissions**. Ensuring surplus drinks are provided to FareShare also helps towards SBF GB&I’s goal to achieve a 50% reduction in food waste from production by 2030 as part of its wider sustainability commitments aligned to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Liz Nieboer, Head of Sustainability and External Affairs, SBF GB&I said, “Giving back to society has been a key part of our business since the foundation of Suntory in Japan back in 1899. We’re committed to positive change in society and supporting local communities. FareShare does an incredible job and we hope we will continue to support them on their mission for many years to come.”
The FareShare team recognised this milestone achievement with a visit to SBF GB&I’s factory in Coleford to celebrate with the team and further understand the process used to redistribute surplus products.
Lisa Darbyshire, Commercial Officer, FareShare, commented: “We’re incredibly grateful to Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I for their committed support of FareShare over the last few years. Their generosity in providing 3million drinks, that may otherwise have gone to waste, has had a significant environmental impact, whilst getting these drinks to our network of charities and community organisations across the UK.”
The visit also coincided with SBF GB&I becoming an official FareShare Leading Food Partner. This scheme recognises businesses that, through their work with FareShare, are providing nutritious, healthy food to people at risk of hunger, saving charities money on their food bills and reducing their Scope 3 carbon and water footprint.
SBF GB&I’s partnership with FareShare is a key part of its Growing for Good vision which guides the company to have a positive impact on people, planet and society. Its employees also regularly support the charity through volunteering initiatives such as regular food drive donations, as part of its commitment to giving back to society.
*FareShare measures the volume of soft drink donations in 250ml equivalents – so includes the different formats of drinks offered by SBF GB&I. SBF GB&I has given the equivalent of 3.156 million 250ml drinks.
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