From Surplus to Seafarer: How We Turn Donated Food into a Valuable Lifeline
Jackie from Liverpool Seafarers Centre donating food parcels to container ship Encounter
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July 2025
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Jackie from Liverpool Seafarers Centre donating food parcels to container ship Encounter 〰️ July 2025 〰️
At the Liverpool Seafarers Centre, we've found a way to transform what would be surplus food into a source of comfort and luxury for the seafarers who visit our port. By working with local supermarkets, we provide fresh, quality food to crew members who are often thousands of miles from home.
Our program started during the height of the Covid pandemic, when local supermarkets began donating surplus perishable food items to us at the end of each day. This quickly became a structured initiative through FareShare, a food redistribution network. To participate, the LSC had to meet strict policies and procedures, including annual inspections and obtaining food hygiene certification.
Today, we collect food daily from Asda, Makro, and Tesco, and three times a week from Waitrose. We make sure every donation is distributed the same day to vessels on a planned schedule, ensuring a fair and equitable share for everyone. These donated items, which might otherwise have gone to waste, are a welcome treat for the crews, adding a little luxury to their daily meals.
