Emery Soft Fruits and FareShare UK Team Up to Tackle Food Waste
One of the UK’s leading berry growers, Emery Soft Fruits, with the help of BerryWorld have partnered with FareShare UK to ensure surplus berries reach those who need them most – an initiative that’s making a real impact on both the environment and feeding those in need.
In a simple but effective move, Emery has introduced a new initiative utilising lined crates beneath each packing table at its pack house. These crates collect berries that don’t meet retail specifications but are still perfectly good to eat. The fruit is then sent directly to FareShare Southern Central’s warehouse in Southampton, where it is distributed to local charities and community groups.
Since partnering with FareShare UK in 2020 Emery Soft Fruits have donated over 365 tonnes of berries, which equals an estimated 869,762 meals and in 2025 alone, Emery have helped supply over 84,000 meals across the region.
FareShare Southern Central praised the initiative, calling it “a brilliant example of how thoughtful changes in the supply chain can have a real-world impact.”
The partnership highlights how growers can play a vital role in reducing food waste and supporting food security - especially during peak growing periods, when high volumes of crop can easily exceed retail demand and risk going unused.
“Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and this initiative is a testament to that. It’s truly wonderful that we can take something that would otherwise go to waste, be re-purposed in a way that can help so many people - and that’s something we’re genuinely proud of.” — James Emery, Managing Director – Emery Soft Fruits.
Established in 1966, Emery Soft Fruits have spent nearly six decades cultivating a reputation for excellence. From their roots as a family-run farm, Emery have grown into one of the UK’s leading suppliers of premium soft fruits to major supermarket chains.
Operating across 100 hectares, they produce over 3,000 tonnes of strawberries and 800 tonnes of raspberries annually - each grown with precision, care, and a steadfast commitment to environmental responsibility. Emery Soft Fruits is part of the Greosn Group, investors in leading brands across fresh produce delivering innovation, sustainability and security.
"Partnership initiatives like this not only brighten lives but also reinforce the importance of a responsible supply chain. We strive to positively impact the communities we serve, and our commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles is central to our operations and fundamental to our mission of making a meaningful difference in everything we do. It's something we’re very proud of," remarks Matthew Jarrett, Greosn Group CEO.