KFC fans will be be able to sink their teeth into free meals as the popular fast food chain partners with charity FareShare.
The partnership pledges to redistribute around four million surplus meals by the end of 2022 – here’s how to tuck in to one.
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As food prices continue to climb and inflation hits a 40-year high of 9%, thousands of UK residents are struggling to afford essentials.
In attempts to relieve some of the strain, KFC has partnered with charity FareShare, and will be using the FareShare Go programme to redistribute surplus food that would otherwise go to waste.
The partnership was first trialled last year with 20 KFC outlets in the Midlands, the North East, and Essex, and saw more than 27,500 meals go to over 22 local community groups.
And this time round, KFC is set to include the majority of its 1,000 restaurants in the scheme by the end of 2022, meaning a whopping four million surplus meals are expected to be donated.
Which food items is KFC donating?
KFC restaurants are currently able to redistribute five main chicken items, including:
- Original pieces
- Hot wings
- Mini fillets
- Fillets
- Zingers
FareShare will collect these frozen food items from KFC outlets three times a week, and the food is then transported over to a freezer ready for charity collection.
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How can I grab a free KFC meal?
FareShare told The Sun that any charity or community group in the UK can sign up to get food through the FareShare Go programme via its website.
On scheduled collection days, local charities who have signed up will receive a notification via the FareShare app advising them of any food available to collect.
Designated charities must then confirm if they would like to collect the KFC donation through the FareShare Go app between 8am and 11am.
If a collection is not confirmed by the charity, the food is offered to the next one in line.
Once confirmed, the food has to be collected by the charities themselves and taken to be reheated into meals for the community.
So you cannot directly make a claim for a free meal from a KFC restaurant.
You will need to contact your local community charity to find out whether it has signed up to FareShare Go and secured a KFC collection.
FareShare also told us: “As to which individuals can access the food, it’s very much dependant on the charity or group that is serving the meals as they all operate differently.
“Some charities have their own criteria, but many of the groups we supply food to are open to everyone in their community.”
So you will need to ask your local charity directly for any eligibility requirements too.
Find a community support group or organisation near you by popping your postcode into the government’s online checker tool.
Lindsay Boswell, chief executive at FareShare says: “With the current cost of living crisis affecting millions, this food is needed now more than ever.”
FareShare anticipates that the partnership will aid more than 2,000 charities and community groups.
While Jenny Packwood, chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer at KFC, says: “We’ve seen more and more people in the local communities that we serve being plunged into food insecurity and, as the cost of living crisis intensifies, it is more important than ever that we make sure any surplus food gets to the people who need it most.”
Other help you can get with food
If you need more help with essentials, you have some options.
Food banks are set up to help those in need with emergency food packages.
You can find your local food bank by typing your postcode into the online search bar on The Trussell Trust’s website.
You can’t make a claim at a food bank yourself though, you’ll need to be referred by one of your local community organisations.
Examples of these are GPs, schools, churches, or advice agencies such as Citizens Advice.
Read here for more information on how to get help from your local food bank.
You may also be able to claim free food vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund (HSF) run by the government.
The HSF has a pot of £500million to be dished out to cash-strapped residents nationwide.
The pot of money has been divided up and given to local councils to support vulnerable residents with essentials – but the help you can get depends on your local council.
Many local councils are giving out food and fuel vouchers along with one off payments to help with essentials.
Find your local council here and contact them directly to see what help is on offer.
What’s more, apps such as Too Good To Go and Olio allow you to buy left over food from participating stores for a fraction of the full price.
For example, one Too Good To Go user spent £4 and got a parcel with enough meat to last her days.
If you’re a parent or soon-to-be mum on a low income or benefits, then you’re entitled to Healthy Start vouchers which could give you up to £442 a year towards food.
The vouchers must be used for goods like milk, baby formula, and vegetables.
We explain everything you need to know about the scheme and how to apply here.
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