January 2022 was a record breaking month for Food Works, a social enterprise building fair and sustainable food for Sheffield.

Working with a team of volunteers Food Works Sheffield saved a massive 57 tonnes of food from going to landfill, which is a record month for the organisation.

In 2021 Food Works recovered over 500 tonnes of surplus food - enough to make over a million meals.

Jo Hercberg, Communications Director at Food Works Sheffield said "It is amazing to think we have fed over 5000 people in just one month with upcycled and recovered food. There is still so much food wasted in the UK and the cost of living crisis is really starting to sting. We offer everyone a way to access fair and sustainable food whilst caring for the planet. Wasting food has a direct impact on the climate - it's still a huge problem we need to address. At Food Works we're showing that a different way IS possible by reducing food waste and making sustainable food accessible to everyone"

The food is recovered from retailers, supermarkets, producers and local businesses in the Sheffield City Region. Food Works' team have three vans on the road seven days a week collecting food to give it a second chance.

Set up in 2015, Food Works Sheffield started life as 'The Real Junk Food Project Sheffield' raising awareness of the scandal of food waste. Over the last 7 years, Food Works has grown to employ sixteen staff who facilitate the work of hundreds of volunteers. Food Works Sheffield runs a market, two community cafés at Sharrow and Upperthorpe and grows food locally on the Food Works Farm. Food is available to individuals through market box schemes, café meals and Just Meals.

Just Meals are environmentally-friendly ready meals made by Food Works in Sheffield.

Created using quality surplus and locally grown ingredients, Just Meals are frozen on site to retain flavour and quality. They also prevent further food waste by keeping fresh in your freezer until you’re ready to eat your meal.

Just Meals are a great alternative to a conventional ready meal. Each meal is packed in 100% biodegradable and home compostable packaging and can be heated in the microwave or oven at home.

Just Meals give back more to the planet than they take, closing the food sustainability loop in a convenient, tasty way.

Find out more via the website at https://thefoodworks.org/