Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) today announced it has redistributed over three 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 six and seven per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions. Ensuring surplus drinks are provided to FareShare also helps towards SBF GB&I’s goal to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in food waste from production by 2030 as part of its wider sustainability commitments aligned to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
“Giving back to society has been a key part of our business since the foundation of Suntory in Japan back in 1899," said Liz Nieboer, Head of Sustainability and External Affairs, SBF GB&I. "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.
