Newtown food scheme saves 49 tonnes from waste in six months

A local food scheme saved 49 tonnes from going to landfill in the first half of this year.

The figures appear in minutes going before Newtown Town Council on Monday, following a presentation by Newtown Food Surplus directors at September’s meeting.

The organisation rescued 68 tonnes during the whole of 2025, collecting surplus food from supermarkets and distributing it to local people.

Now based in the former New Look premises in Bear Lanes, the scheme collects from Newtown supermarkets and from Tesco and Aldi in Welshpool.

Volunteers sort and store donations before food sharing sessions every Monday and Friday. The weight of donated food is logged to measure how much has been rescued.

“We have two aims: to stop food from entering landfill and to reduce food poverty,” the organisation states on its website.

The sessions are open to everyone, with no requirement to prove financial need. The scheme operates separately from the foodbank but works alongside it.

People do not have to pay, although donations help cover running costs and provide additional supplies.

“No, you don’t have to pay! If you can afford a donation that’s brilliant,” its website explains.

Directors told September’s meeting that the organisation also purchases food for emergency bags distributed to people with significant need.

Established in 2021, Newtown Food Surplus says it now has more than 60 volunteers and collects from retailers seven days a week.

The town council has provided a grant towards freezers. Mayor Cllr Margaret Lewington and councillors Jack Griffin Lewis and Lee Menzel were thanked during the presentation for their volunteer support and attendance.

The organisation is seeking more volunteers, including drivers for supermarket collections and people to help store food and run distribution sessions.

Food shares generally run on Mondays and Fridays from 10.30am to 11.15am. Residents should check the Newtown Food Surplus Facebook page for the latest location and arrangements.

Anyone interested in volunteering can email info@nfs.wales.