Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas met with volunteers at Brighton & Hove FareShare yesterday, a community food network which distributes good quality food that would otherwise be thrown away to charities feeding vulnerable people in the city.

The service, run by City Gate Community Projects, also provides valuable work opportunities for the long-term unemployed.

Speaking after the visit, Caroline said:

"I was extremely impressed by the commitment of the volunteers at FareShare, whose hard work helps to feed some of Brighton and Hove's poorest people and reduce food waste in the city.

"Last year Fareshare workers recovered 300 tonnes of good quality ‘waste' food from manufacturers and retailers.

"I also welcome the fact that the organisation offers people with little or no work experience a chance to train and work. It's a great way of tackling social and environmental problems at the same time."

ENDS

Notes to editors

CAPTION: Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas joins FareShare volunteers Tracy Cox and Dyn Jelloul