Middlesbrough hospital opens surplus food shop

The James Cook University Hospital has opened an ‘eco pop-up shop’ in its Volunteers Coffee Lounge. ‘High quality, good to eat’ surplus food will be available to staff for a small donation.

FareShare, a charity network aimed at reducing food waste and reducing food poverty in the UK, is supplying the surplus food – redistributing it so that it does not end up in landfill. Due to over-ordering or misprinting, the food could not go to supermarkets as originally intended.

Opening times for the new shop will be Tuesdays and Fridays between 11am and 2pm.

According to the Hospital, trust staff using the shop can pick up ‘a bargain while doing their part in helping the environment, selecting 10 tins, jars or packets for just £2’.

The eco shop was set up in partnership with South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Middlesbrough Environment City, FareShare NE and the Middlesbrough Food Partnership.

Steve Bell, Environmental and Sustainability Lead of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “In order to advance our green agenda this initiative plays a vital role in supporting our staff through the provision of a service which benefits both the environment and our workforce.”

Laura Hallett, from the trust’s Greener Group, also commented: "As a member of the greener group, and as a volunteer food waste hero for Olio in my own time, I’m really proud that James Cook has joined the fight in reducing food wastage."

Georgina Oakley, Coffee Lounge manager, added: “We are really pleased to have our very own Eco Shop here at James Cook. I have always hated wasting food when it is still perfectly safe to eat, so I jumped at the chance of playing a part in reducing food wastage, helping the environment, and offering the staff a chance to save money in the current climate.”