The funding from the food and beverage company’s philanthropic arm will support two programmes aimed at tackling food waste and boosting employment in Leicestershire, the home of its Walkers crisps.
The first of the two programmes is “Surplus with Purpose” which looks at making it easier and more cost effective for farmers and producers across the UK to divert surplus fresh vegetables to FareShare’s network of 8,000 charities and community organisations.
The programme redistributed the equivalent of 550,000 meals in 2025.
Kirsty Ford, head of fundraising at FareShare said: “We are excited to be working with PepsiCo on this new stage of our partnership, that will help us deliver greater impact to communities across the UK, through the power of surplus food.
“We are so grateful to everyone at PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation for choosing to fund these two programmes.
“While so much edible food goes to waste on our farms every year, FareShare’s Surplus with Purpose scheme ensures farmers can get more of this good-to-eat nutritious fresh produce to people, rather than letting it go to waste.
“This partnership will also make an important contribution to our employability programme, helping hundreds of people seek long-term employment in the food industry. These programmes support FareShare’s mission get more good-to-eat surplus food to people in need, helping to strengthen communities across the UK.”
The second initiative is the Leicestershire employability programme which provides support to 600 people looking for work.
It organises tailored workshops, job application support and one-to-one mentoring.
PepsiCo and FareShare
The grant builds on a seven-year tie-up between PepsiCo and FareShare.
Since December 2017, the company has provided more than 2,200 tonnes of surplus and donated products to charities across the UK.
PepsiCo employees have clocked 270 hours of volunteering at FareShare distribution centres.
Jason Richards, senior vice president and general manager at PepsiCo UK and Ireland, said: “We’re proud to have partnered with FareShare for over seven years to fight hunger and tackle food waste together.
“This increased support will make an even bigger difference, giving jobseekers the leg up they need to succeed, while also transforming surplus food into meals for charities and community groups across the UK.
“We’re encouraging growers in our network to sign up to the scheme as an extension of our work towards a more sustainable food system.”
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