Q: WHAT TYPES OF FOOD DO YOU PICK UP?
A: We pick up almost anything (as long as it's food-safe, and from a registered business) from quality surplus fresh fruit and veg, dairy, eggs, fresh meat, pre-prepared sandwiches and cooked meals to delicious cupcakes or muffins that weren’t sold that day. We can also collect dry goods and drinks.
UKHarvest is unable to collect shellfish or cooked rice due to health and safety regulations, nor any food containing alcohol.
Q: CAN UKHARVEST TAKE FOOD PAST ‘SELL BY’ OR ‘BEST BEFORE DATES’
A: Unfortunately we cannot accept foods past their ‘sell by’ dates as this is no longer food safe. However, some meats can be frozen on this date and remain food safe.
We can however collect certain foods past their ‘best before’ dates, if the food is still in good condition.
Q: IS IT LEGAL TO DONATE FOOD TO CHARITY?
A: Yes, and food safety is our priority. All perishable food is collected and delivered the same day in our refrigerated vans. UKHarvest operates within the Food Standards Agency guidelines and all our drivers and staff involved with the handling of food have been trained in food safety & hygiene.
Q: WHERE DOES UKHARVEST OPERATE?
A: UKHarvest currently operates in and around West Sussex, Hampshire, East Sussex, Kent, Wiltshire and London. We have plans to grow and expand quickly so do keep checking in, follow us on social media or leave us your details so we can keep you updated!
Q: HOW DO YOU DIFFER FROM OTHER FOOD RESCUE SERVICES OUT THERE?
A: In addition to food rescue, nutritional education and awareness about food waste, food rescue, food security and sustainability is central to our vision. Promoting nutrition education and providing people in need of all ages with the skills and knowledge to feed and cook for themselves cheaply whilst ensuring they are empowered to make healthier eating choices is paramount.
As there is so much food that goes to waste (6.5 millon tonnes of food is wasted every year in the UK, that equates to 17 Billion pounds worth of food), we view our work and the work of other food rescue services, as working in an alliance to ensure our ultimate goal can be reached: to eliminate food waste and help feed people in need.
Q: I WISH TO DONATE FOOD FROM A PRIVATE HOME/RESIDENCE, COULD UKHARVEST PICK UP MY FOOD DONATION?
A: UKHarvest rescues food from registered businesses only. If you wish to donate food from a private home or residence, although we are unable to pick up this donation, we could potentially connect you with a local charity or shelter that may require food relief or assistance. Give us a call and speak to our operations team on 01243 696940.
Q: WHAT ARE SOME WAYS THAT I CAN HELP?
A: As well as spreading the word about the work we do, there are three ways you can support UKHarvest:
- Donate money: UKHarvest is a completely charitable organisation that relies on donations. You can donate funds to UKHarvest to help us continue our daily work rescuing surplus food for those in need and providing nutrition education. To donate, just CLICK HERE or call 01243 696940.
- Donate time: our volunteers are invaluable, supporting UKHarvest in a number of ways to continue our work. To join our ever-growing family CLICK HERE.
- Donate food: food donations are always welcome. If you’re a business please call us on 01243 696940 or sign up to be a regular food donor HERE.
