One million tins of baked beans are to be distributed to people facing food insecurity across the UK.
The initiative will provide a steady supply of the store cupboard staple to thousands of charities, schools, food banks and community kitchens.
Waitrose, Princes, Alliance Food Sourcing and food rescue charity Felix have joined forces to produce the additional cans of Branston Baked Beans.
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The tins will be distributed over the coming months through Felix’s network of more than 8,000 community organisations, as reported by What’s The Jam.
Waitrose said the major food dispatch comes as more than eight million people across the country face food insecurity.
Rather than relying on unsold products, the partnership will use spare factory capacity and supply-chain resources to make food specifically for charitable distribution.
Princes will produce additional quantities of baked beans at its manufacturing facilities during quieter periods throughout the year.
The companies said the approach could provide charities with a more consistent supply of food than traditional retail surplus donations, which can fluctuate.
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David McDiarmid, corporate relations director at Princes Group, said baked beans had been a cornerstone of British kitchens for decades because of their versatility and long shelf life.
He added: “We are delighted that our first successful venture with Alliance Food Sourcing is on Branston Baked Beans, as they provide an accessible and nutritious meal option, with one can containing over 24 grams of fibre.
“We have partnered with FareShare for over a decade and donations of stock is a matter of routine and something all our colleagues are passionate about.
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“We are proud to go ‘beyond surplus’ food and instead use our manufacturing capability to actively produce food for people who need it.”
The initiative was inspired by the legacy of The King’s Coronation Food Project.
It forms part of the work of Alliance Food Sourcing, a coalition bringing together UK food businesses to turn unused factory capacity and edible surplus into meals for charities.
Waitrose is also testing similar partnerships with pasta supplier Daybreak and fresh fruit supplier Primafruit.
Together, the baked bean, pasta and fruit projects are expected to provide Felix with the equivalent of more than 1.9 million meals by the end of the year.
Marija Rompani, director of ethics and sustainability at Waitrose, said: “This isn’t just about donating surplus food.
“It’s about exploring how we can work closely with our suppliers to rewrite the rules in our supply chain and unlock surplus that can make a real difference to our communities.”
Nicky Robinson, director of Alliance Food Sourcing, said relatively simple supply-chain changes could help millions more meals reach people in need.
She said: “By adapting their supply chains, food businesses can redirect factory capacity or rescue edible food to help tackle UK hunger.”
Felix is the new name for the charity created through the merger of FareShare and The Felix Project.
Charlotte Hill OBE, chief executive of Felix, said demand among the organisations it supplies was continuing to rise.
She added: “That is why projects like this are vital.
“It not only shows what partnerships and innovative thinking can achieve, it ensures Felix receives a steady supply of a much sought-after family favourite.”
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