IN JUST six months, more than 600 boxes of bread, pastries, fruit and vegetables have been diverted from waste and transformed into hundreds of meals for people on the Isle of Wight.

The project, launched by the Co-op supermarket in Freshwater and the Isle of Wight's Real Junk Food Project (RJFP), has made a significant difference to the local community.

RJFP organiser Faith Stickland said food donations had been turned into hundreds of three-course meals, filled dozens of lunch boxes and supported struggling families via the Isle of Wight Foodbank.

"None of this would have happened without the Southern Co-op store in Freshwater being prepared to do extra work," said Faith.

"Store manager Neil Riley and his team have been exceptional.

"I'd also like to say a big thank you to Sally from the West Wight Timebank, who initiated 'meet and eat' cook-ups and covers the costs.

"We are a very caring community."

The RJFP works with a number of food stores and producers to prevent useable products going to landfill, including food, toiletries and cleaning products.

Organisers use the donated products in three different ways ­— at a monthly community 'meet and eat' event at St Saviours Church, Totland, offering daily collections of products on a ‘pay as you feel' basis at the West Wight Sports and Community Centre, and through a new lunchbox scheme during school holidays.

Co-op manager Neil said: "From a store perspective, it has been a huge success.

"I'm immensely proud to be a part of the RJFP network, and especially proud we have been able to support Faith in her endeavours.

"She truly is an inspirational woman with a passion for doing good in her community."

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