VOLUNTEERS in Ruthin are being called to “take on the mantle” in collecting surplus food for Tesco’s initiative to reduce weekly food waste.

Fare Share, a charity that fights hunger and food waste, runs the Tesco community food collection initiative in partnership with the supermarket, which has committed to cut food waste by 2025.

Liz Perrin, Tesco community champion, from Ruthin, said: “We’re looking for as many volunteers as possible to get involved in picking up the remaining food every night.

“If food cannot be used it goes to landfill and there is a lot of concern about that.”

Research has shown that the UK throws away more than eight million tonnes of food every year.

The food collected by the Tesco initiative would not go to individuals but rather charities and community groups, such as the Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council, which has previously used remaining food from the Ruthin supermarket in its community meetings.

Volunteers are encouraged to be creative with the ways the food collection is used, with potential ideas including community meetings, local groups and kids’ clubs. Llanbedr community pub has also expressed interest in using available food.

Ms Perrin said: “Hopefully we can get to a point where there is minimal food being wasted, that is our goal.”