HEXHAM’S Tesco store has donated over 500 meals to local people in need as part of its pledge to cut food waste.

The company’s surplus food redistribution programme, Community Food Connection, has seen 505 meals donated to those in need.

This contribution has helped the programme, operated in partnership with FareShare FoodCloud, reach the milestone of one million meals donated by Tesco stores across the country.

Community Food Connection links local charities and community groups to Tesco stores via an app that allows store teams to let local charities know there is unsold food available at the end of each day.

The unsold food is provided to the charities free of charge, and includes fresh produce such as fruit, vegetables and bakery products.

Chilled products, like meat, dairy and ready meals, are also offered.

To date, 2,000 charities and community groups have signed up to the programme.

Community food programmes manager at Tesco Rifka Chakkalakal said: “We are delighted to see Hexham contribute a fantastic number of surplus food meals to people in need.

“We believe that no food that could be eaten should go to waste, so we’re excited to continue to grow this initiative.

“That’s why we’re looking for even more charities and community groups to come forward to register for the programme.”

Charities or community groups interested in joining the programme should visit www.fareshare.org.uk/fareshare-foodcloud