Leading cheese manufacturer Lactalis McLelland has announced a new food waste reduction partnership with food redistribution charity FareShare UK.

The company behind the Seriously Cheese range has been working with the UK charity to ensure that excess stock is distributed to vulnerable people across the country, rather than being thrown away.

All in-date surplus Lactalis McLelland cheese, including branded and own label products, will now be sent to FareShare UK’s network of regional centres.

The centres will redistribute food to hundreds of projects nationwide, including food banks. Products currently included in the partnership include: Seriously, Galloway, Orkney, President and Galbani branded cheeses.

Mark Taylor, group managing director for Lactalis McLelland UK & Ireland, said: “We are delighted to partner with FareShare UK to ensure that our surplus stock is used to feed those that need it most.

“We consider ourselves to be a forward thinking and responsible business focused on continual improvement. We actively seek opportunities to minimise our environmental impact and positively contribute to the communities in which we operate.

“No food that is safe for human consumption should go to waste and through our partnership with FareShare UK we are able to ensure that all our surplus cheese is re-directed to fantastic initiatives such as homeless hostels, lunch clubs for older people and community centres.”

FareShare UK took its first delivery of cheese from Lactalis McLelland in November and the initiative will continue for the foreseeable future.