FareShare North East, a charity dedicated to redistributing surplus food to those in need, has expressed its devastation following a break-in at its Middlesbrough warehouse. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, resulted in the loss of 16 tonnes of perishable food items, equivalent to 7,000 meals, after thieves cut power to the facility's vital refrigeration units.
The charity, which supplies over 200 community groups and food banks across the North East from its Newcastle and Middlesbrough bases, discovered the extensive damage when hub manager Natasha Flanagan arrived for work. She described the scene as 'heartbreaking', with lockers and staff drawers ransacked, and chiller and freezer doors left open, leading to the spoilage of essential items like milk and meat.
Jake Hanmore, Chief Executive Officer of FareShare North East, highlighted the emotional toll on his team, stating it 'stings when you come in and find that the warehouse has been broken into.' The Middlesbrough hub, which has been operational since 2023 and moved to its current Skippers Lane location approximately four months ago, is a critical link in the food supply chain for many vulnerable individuals and families in the region.
This significant loss of food comes at a time when many UK households continue to grapple with the elevated cost of living. Food banks and community organisations reliant on charities like FareShare are seeing sustained demand, making such incidents particularly impactful. The disruption to FareShare's operations means a temporary reduction in vital provisions for organisations supporting those facing food insecurity.
Cleveland Police confirmed they received a report of the break-in at around 07:40 BST on Tuesday and an investigation is currently underway. The charity anticipates the Middlesbrough hub will reopen on Thursday, allowing them to resume their crucial work, albeit with a substantial loss of stock that will need to be replenished.