OVER 20 community groups came together to launch a new food redistribution centre in east Durham.

The groups learned how The Cyrenians FareShare North East works with the food industry to save perfectly good food from going to landfill when they met at the newest base in Peterlee. 

The Cyrenians’ FareShare North East, receives donations from a range of suppliers including Greggs, The Co-op, Sainsbury’s and Ringtons.

It helps helping minimise food waste by providing food surpluses to local voluntary organisations which then use it to cater for community groups and to provide food parcels for families in need.

The launch event was backed by local agencies including East Durham Trust, which supports over 300 voluntary groups in the Peterlee and the East Durham area, and also The East Durham Partnership, a social enterprise based in Horden.

Everyone at the event was treated to a lunch cooked by Masterchef finalist David Coulson who is the head chef at Castle Eden Inn.

David used only Fareshare North East produce to create the mouth-watering meal which included pheasant Thai curry, chilli con carne and a variety of Indian dishes.

Michael Shields, general manager of FareShare North East said: “The help of many partners including East Durham Partnership and East Durham Trust have helped us to reach more - and support better - many of the region’s 5,000 charities and voluntary groups.

“This support for many, many people is at its most critical and basic – helping make sure they have enough to eat day to day. It’s a startling fact that today, right here in the North-East there are people going hungry.”

For more information visit thecyrenians.org