Tackling Food Waste One Step at a Time

Tackling Food Waste One Step at a Time

Tackling Food Waste One Step at a Time
16 November 2021

Over 30 of TEP’s staff are about to embark on a 16-week training programme that will culminate in each of them walking 40,000 steps in the same weekend and covering a combined distance of over 600 miles. That is the equivalent of walking between each of our offices (From Gateshead to Warrington, to Market Harborough, to London and then to Cornwall).

Even though this is excellent cardio, they aren’t just doing this for their health. In fact, they are doing it to raise vital funds for FareShare, our charity of the year. FareShare was established 25 years ago and is the UK’s longest running food redistribution charity. Their core belief is that no good food should go to waste, especially when people are going hungry. Hundreds of thousands of tonnes of good food are wasted by the UK food industry every year, whilst millions of people are struggling to feed themselves. FareShare addresses this by redistributing food industry surplus that would otherwise go to waste.  Last year was FareShare’s biggest year to date, with a huge increase in the number of community groups benefiting from their service. The number of charities that they support increased to 10,962 and the number of people accessing FareShare food each week rose to 933,178. The food they redistributed contributed towards 57.3 million meals and saved the charity sector £14.1 million.

To support the fantastic work that FareShare does and to help them reach as many people as possible, our staff have set themselves a challenge that will test their limits. On the 19 th and 20th February, our willing volunteers will be taking part in a sponsored walk. We have also set ourselves a fundraising target of raising £2,500, which TEP will very kindly match if we manage to reach. We will be sharing all the highs and lows of our training, so please follow our progress over the next 16 weeks and if you are able, please sponsor our staff. It will definitely give them that extra little boost of encouragement, especially whilst the weather is so wet and windy!

For every pound that is donated, four people will get a meal. So, if you would like to support our staff in their challenge and help them reach their goal, you can donate by visiting our JustGiving page here.

Thank you to all our staff taking part and good luck!

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This year marks the 10th anniversary of Future Gardeners, Routes into Horticulture and the Natural Environment, an award-winning programme dedicated to helping people access careers in horticulture and the wider green sector. To celebrate this milestone, TEP's Tom Young joined partners, supporters and alumni at the 10 year anniversary event in London to recognise and celebrate the invaluable work it has delivered over the past decade. Established by Bankside Open Spaces Trust and the Worshipful Company of Gardeners in 2016, the programme was designed to open doors into horticulture and the natural environment through practical training, hands-on work experience and valuable industry connections. Over the last 10 years, it has empowered countless participants to gain the skills, confidence and qualifications needed to launch their careers. Today, with more than 80% progressing into further training, apprenticeships or employment, the programme is helping to shape the next generation of horticultural and environmental professionals. Future Gardeners combines hands-on learning with work placements across parks, gardens and green spaces throughout London, giving participants valuable real-world experience alongside accredited training, including City & Guilds qualifications. By covering costs such as travel and equipment, the programme helps remove barriers that can prevent people from accessing opportunities within the sector. 
29 July 2026
Our Historic Environment and Archaeology team has helped uncover a remarkable chapter of Preston's industrial heritage.
31 July 2026
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Future Gardeners, Routes into Horticulture and the Natural Environment, an award-winning programme dedicated to helping people access careers in horticulture and the wider green sector. To celebrate this milestone, TEP's Tom Young joined partners, supporters and alumni at the 10 year anniversary event in London to recognise and celebrate the invaluable work it has delivered over the past decade. Established by Bankside Open Spaces Trust and the Worshipful Company of Gardeners in 2016, the programme was designed to open doors into horticulture and the natural environment through practical training, hands-on work experience and valuable industry connections. Over the last 10 years, it has empowered countless participants to gain the skills, confidence and qualifications needed to launch their careers. Today, with more than 80% progressing into further training, apprenticeships or employment, the programme is helping to shape the next generation of horticultural and environmental professionals. Future Gardeners combines hands-on learning with work placements across parks, gardens and green spaces throughout London, giving participants valuable real-world experience alongside accredited training, including City & Guilds qualifications. By covering costs such as travel and equipment, the programme helps remove barriers that can prevent people from accessing opportunities within the sector. 
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Our Historic Environment and Archaeology team has helped uncover a remarkable chapter of Preston's industrial heritage.
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