A NEW free food distribution scheme is set to get up and running in the new year.

Energy Alton and Alton Climate Action and Network (ACAN) will unveil ‘Alton Friday Free Food’ at a meeting on Wednesday, from 7.30pm in the Community Centre.

Lucy Lomax from Free Shop Friday in Petersfield will talk about their successful project which helps around 60 people each week.

“Our mission is to avoid unnecessary waste,” she said.

“Providing surplus foods and seasonal goods to anyone who can make good use of them.”

Penney Hames is setting up Alton’s equivalent.

She explained: “The idea is to redistribute surplus food to local people, free of charge, once a week, from a central location in Alton.

“It is simple, equitable and reduces food waste. Food might come from surplus stock from local supermarkets, from allotments and gardens, from people about to go on holiday or any other distributor or producer of food.

“Anything that otherwise is destined for the bin or the compost heap, so long as it’s clean and fresh.”

There are no criteria for who can receive the goods – if people feel they are in need of additional fresh food, they can come and take some and help reduce waste at the same time.

Organisers said the idea “already has a lot of backing” from town councillors and residents.

According to ACAN, about a quarter of the UK’s food post-farm (excluding factors like crop loss) is wasted, in households, manufacturing, retail, hospitality and other food services.

If you are able to volunteer to help in any way with the Friday Free Food Shop, call Penney Hames on 07811217744.