FareShare South West

19/06/2026

It takes just 2 minutes to sign up as a volunteer with FareShare South West – but the impact on local people will last for years.
FareShare South West is YOUR local food charity: the go-to for community hubs, food clubs and local pantries to get a regular, reliable supply of healthy food. Better yet, it’s all been rescued from going to waste, so it’s great for the planet too.

It’s all made possible by a team of volunteers – and you could be one of them.

What you’ll get:
• A friendly team to welcome you on board
• A regular shift at a time that suits you, Monday to Friday daytimes (don't worry, you can take a holiday whenever you like!)
• A great way to stay active and meet people
• The knowledge you’re doing something that makes a difference

What you’ll do:
• A role that works for you
• Drive a van or help the driver on a delivery run
• Pick orders or organise stock with the warehouse team

Where you’ll be:
• You choose the most convenient hub for you
• Our central Bristol hub on Little Ann Street, BS2 9EB
• Or our south Bristol hub on Vale Lane, BS3 5SA
• Our Plymouth hub at Sisna Park, Estover PL6 7AE

Local people need our help more than ever – so we’d love to hear from you! Visit https://faresharesouthwest.org.uk/volunteer/ to sign up online, or email [email protected] with your questions.

Volunteer in Bristol or volunteer in Plymouth. Help end food poverty and reduce food waste. No experience needed. Sign up online now!

18/06/2026

Wonderful things happen when you bring people together to share food and experiences. It was magical to join Migrateful yesterday for an evening of delicious food, music and meaningful conversations during Bristol Refugee Festivaland Refugee Week.

We heard panellists Kalpna Woolf, Kele Alexander, Yassin Mohamud and MoYah, along with Migrateful founder Jess Thompson, discuss how we build connection in a polarised world.

It was inspiring to hear Kele, a director at our wonderful member Coexist Community Kitchen, talk about how Migrateful chefs are breaking down barriers and building connections one cooking class at a time.

These are worrying times but it’s good to feel there is hope and chance to do more to build connections.

16/06/2026

Every hour from every volunteer shares food for 87 meals across the south west.

That's a family of 4 fed for a week.

That's three meals a day for 29 days for someone living alone and struggling to pay the bills.

That's a jam-packed community kitchen serving a hot lunch to every older person in the village.

Every hour, from every volunteer.

If you want to make a real difference, this is how you do it. Healthy nutritious food, rescued from going to waste, shared with local people who need it most.

We've got hubs in Plymouth and Bristol, and we need your help.

Join us as a volunteer today!

15/06/2026

FareShare South West's founder and chair Andy Street has been awarded an MBE in the King's birthday honours, and we couldn't be prouder!

Andy kicked off our work back in 2007 to tackle urban poverty in Bristol. Since then, we've grown - from a tiny 5-person team delivering by bicycle, through a huge upscale in the pandemic, to rescuing and sharing millions of meals each year from Cornwall to Gloucestershire.

It's disheartening to know that the need for community food support has escalated so much over that time - but as Andy says: "this city and this region is replete with committed, dedicated people and organisations who are tackling these challenges together. It’s my privilege to be part of that movement.”

We're lucky to work with such a dedicated, warm and impactful Chair. Thank you Andy and congratulations!

Read more about Andy's impact on Bristol and beyond:

https://faresharesouthwest.org.uk/andy-street-mbe/

Health, environment, food security and support for farmers are key to a new food strategy. Is this how to tackle our reliance on imports?

10/06/2026

Through sharing good food at an affordable price, we can empower communities to thrive. That's why we couldn't have been prouder to visit THAT Community Store in Newton Abbott on their opening day.

The social supermarket is operated by THAT Foodbank. It is designed to help families save money on their weekly shop while reducing food waste.

And it's meeting a real need in the community, as co chair Jean explains: “It means we can help out families who may not be on the poverty line but are still struggling. I hope people will come and see what we are trying to do. For me, it’s been hard work, but very humbling and rewarding.”

We're proud to support THAT Community Store with supplies of good-to-eat surplus food.

Our Membership Manager Rachel says: “This is the first time FareShare South West has served Newton Abbot. I thought it was so important to onboard this project. It will help support many people in the local community who are struggling.”

THAT Community Store manager Joe adds: “We owe a lot to FareShare South West. We couldn’t have opened without your support and the food you’ve given us.”

If you’re a community project or charity and would like to add or enhance your food offering, please get in touch. We support charities and good causes all across the south west with nutritious, surplus food. Find out more 👉 https://faresharesouthwest.org.uk/joining-fareshare/

08/06/2026

"I am in awe of the volunteers at FareShare South West"

These are the words of Sam, our Head of Employability and Volunteering, as she reflects on what a wonderful group of people we're lucky to work alongside. 💚🍎

Volunteers' Week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate our volunteers and shine a light on the work they do, but we hope we show our gratitude all year round.

Last week, we enjoyed an afternoon tea and indoor picnics. Just a small thank you for the amazing work our volunteers do to enable us to share food for millions of meals with grassroots charities, schools and food clubs across the south west.

Sam says: “I am in awe of the volunteers at FareShare South West. At first, you see people who have selflessly given up their time to support our organisation, week in week out, making sure our operations run and good food makes it on to tables across the south west.

"However, when you look deeper, you see the community that has been built between those who wanted to learn various skills, meet new people and pass on good deeds to those they've never met. The friendships. It is hard to show just how grateful we are for every single volunteer we welcome through our hub doors, but we can try. Thank you!”

Also, a huge thank you to our incredible local suppliers, who generously donated food for our Volunteers' Week celebrations in Plymouth. We enjoyed enjoyed pasties and sausage rolls from Samworth Brothers, cakes and scones from WestCountry Foodservice and sandwiches from Tamar Fresh, all washed down with chilled apple juice from Luscombe Drinks.

We always enjoy welcoming new volunteers into our community. Volunteering is a fantastic way to meet new people, give back, or develop new skills. If you have some spare time and you’re interested in a volunteering role that helps tackle hunger and food waste, we’d love to hear from you. Click here to find out more about opportunities we have available 👉 https://faresharesouthwest.org.uk/volunteer/

05/06/2026

As we approach the end of Volunteers' Week, all that remains for us to say is a huge thank you to our absolutely incredible volunteers.

From those volunteering in our hubs, sorting and packing food, to our teams out on the road, in the office and working behind the scenes, we rely on your commitment, passion and expertise to do what we do, and we couldn't be more grateful to you.

It is because of you that we were able to rescue food for more than 4 million meals last year alone, making a difference in communities from Gloucester to Cornwall, and helping to end the injustice of who gets to access a healthy diet.

Come rain or shine, your dedication is inspiring. We are incredibly lucky to work alongside a community of people from all different walks of life who help change lives for the better every day.

For every crate filled, every delivery made, every bit of food saved from waste, every smile, thank you! 💚🍎

03/06/2026

Meet Ian, our souper volunteer 💪 💚

We couldn't do what we do without our incredible volunteers, and we know the same can be said for many of the small charities, groups and food clubs we support. We are therefore doubly grateful for Ian's time and commitment.

As well as volunteering in our hub, Ian is the secretary of the Lion’s Club of Plymouth. It’s in this role that every five weeks, Ian prepares a nutritious soup from scratch for Thursday’s Plymouth Soup Run.

Here he is collecting some celeriac, leeks, carrots, and more from our Plymouth hub ready to be turned into a hearty vegetable soup, which will be distributed across the city.

Ian said: “It’s wonderful being a volunteer and meeting such a variety of characters. FareShare South West looks after a lot of the soup run teams and it’s lovely to have their support to keep it running on my Thursdays.”

Thank you for everything you do Ian! We are so grateful to you and every single one of our volunteers.

If you're feeling motivated to make a difference in your community this Volunteers' Week, find out about the opportunities we have available here 👉https://faresharesouthwest.org.uk/volunteer/

01/06/2026

It's Volunteers' Week, the perfect opportunity to shine a light on our incredible team of volunteers and all they do! 🌟

From Monday to Friday all year round, come rain or shine, these amazing people ensure we can rescue good, surplus food and share it with charities, schools and food clubs across the south west. 🍎

It's because of them, we are able to tackle the environmental problem of food waste, address the injustice of who gets to access a healthy diet and sustain a network of hope. We literally couldn't do it without them and we're constantly inspired by their commitment, passion and dedication to our work!

A huge thank you to each and every one of our volunteers. You are absolute heroes! 💚

Inspired to find out how you can make a difference in your community? Check out the volunteering opportunities we have available in Plymouth or Bristol 👉 https://faresharesouthwest.org.uk/volunteer/

29/05/2026

Community food support organisations: what brings people to your door? And what makes the biggest difference?

Understanding what's happening on the frontline is vital: we won't see positive change without the reality of daily life in local communities being seen and heard.

Trussell, Feeding Britain, The Food Foundation, the Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN), the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and Sustain: The Alliance For Better Food And Farming are coming together to gather evidence from the organisations who are right there in the community. If you're able to, please feed into their survey.

(Note: FareShare South West isn't involved in this research, we just want it to include as much evidence as possible!)

Every day you, as representatives of food banks and other charitable food aid providers across the UK, see the impact of gaps in local support, barriers to accessing help, and systems that too often fail to prevent or respond to financial crisis. This webinar is an opportunity to ensure that insight...