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Glanbia Ireland FoodCloud contribution surpasses €700,000

05 May 2021
Consumer News

Glanbia Ireland’s contribution to the FoodCloud surplus food social enterprise has surpassed an estimated €700,000 for the first time with 25.5 tonnes of surplus food from the company shared out among needy families nation-wide between January and the end of March of this year alone.

FoodCloud Hubs work with food businesses across Ireland who have volumes of surplus food. They redistribute this to charities who are delighted to have access to a supply of fresh produce. It’s a win-win for businesses such as ours as well as we can contribute to our community in a meaningful and practical way by ensuring that no good food goes to waste.

Between January and March of this year, Glanbia Ireland contributed 25.5 tonnes of food to FoodCloud. This equates to approximately 60,714 meals and has help cut about 81.6 tonnes of carbon. The approximate value of this surplus food from Glanbia was €76,500.

Over the years, Glanbia has donated 233.6 tonnes of food under the initiative, equating to 556,190 meals, 747.5 tonnes of avoided CO2 and a staggering €700,800 worth of food.

Glanbia first piloted a partnership with FoodCloud in 2018. Fresh, quality produce from Glanbia Ireland which would otherwise be destined for disposal as surplus, is redistributed to charities across Ireland by FoodCloud, creating a win-win situation by helping charities to save money and helping businesses such as ours reduce our carbon impact.

Commenting on Glanbia Ireland’s contribution to date, Site Manager in Portlaoise, Alan Murphy, said the company is delighted to play its part. “As much as 30% of food globally is wasted every year and this accounts for 8% of greenhouse gas emissions. As a major producer of quality, sustainable food and an Irish company with deep community roots and a reputation for giving, we are anxious to play our part through FoodCloud.

“Charitable organisations have been under even greater pressure since the pandemic and Glanbia is only too happy to contribute, ensuring that surplus, quality food is not wasted and goes to genuine hardship cases.”