Tesco makes it even easier for Merseyside shoppers to help local food banks and charities

TESCO is making it easier than ever for shoppers in Merseyside to give a helping hand to food banks and charities feeding people in their local community. The Tesco Food Collection is taking place in every large Tesco store across the UK from Thursday, 30 June 2022, until Saturday, 2 July 2022, and shoppers are being urged to donate long life food to support local food banks in the Trussell Trust's network and thousands of frontline charities supplied by FareShare. Tesco will top up all food donations made during the collection with an extra 20% cash donation to support the 2 charities. To make it even easier for customers to donate, shoppers can now round up their bill at the checkout to make a small donation to both the charities, and pre-filled donation bags with some of the items that are most needed will be available in selected stores. From this week it is also easier than ever for customers who shop in Express stores to support the charities, with new permanent donation points being placed in every Tesco Express store in the UK for the 1st time, meaning shoppers will now be able to donate at Express stores year round. Shoppers can also donate their Tesco Clubcard points online to either of the charities.

Tesco Head of Community Claire de Silva said:- "This collection marks 10 years of us working with the Trussell Trust and FareShare. During that decade our customers have been amazingly generous, donating more than 100 million meals during our food collections and at permanent collection points in Tesco stores, but we wanted to make it even easier for customers in Merseyside to donate this summer as we know that every can donated really does help. Donations are more important than ever as the charities have reported increasing need for food. Ann Dobie, Development Manager at FareShare Merseyside, said:- "Our charities are telling us that the need for food has vastly increased as a result of the cost of living crisis, and over the last year we've continued to deliver 4 meals every second to people facing food insecurity across the UK. That's why we would be immensely grateful to anyone who is able to donate a bag of pasta or tin of vegetables over the Tesco Food Collection weekend; your generous donations will help us continue providing vital support to families struggling to cope this summer."

Jo Browne, Food Team Leader at North Liverpool Foodbank, said:- "Every year, we are amazed by the generosity of Tesco customers who donate to the Food Collection. We know that many families on the very lowest incomes have been forced to the doors of food banks to get by, as the nation faces a rapid rise in the cost of living and continues to recover from the devastating effects of the Pandemic. So, once again, we are calling on shoppers to give generously and make a difference to people who need our support over the coming weeks and months."
 

'Wok star' Dave Critchley joins top chefs at Southport Flower Show

TV Chef Dave Critchley is to appear at Southport Flower Show to show off the talents which have made him a:- 'wok star' of modern cuisine. Dave has twice featured on The Great British Menu and worked in the kitchens of some of the North West's best known restaurants. And although he started his career washing pots in a pub in his native Liverpool, Dave has become a rising star of Chinese food.

In 2019, he won the honour of being the 1st non-Chinese cook to be selected as an apprentice of the renowned Master Chef Zhengxi Wu at the Tianjin School of Cuisine. He is now co-owner and Executive Chef at Lu Ban restaurant in Liverpool, which this month won a prestigious award at the Visit England Awards for Excellence 2022. Judges gave Lu Ban the Gold award for:- 'bringing a new dimension to Chinese food in Liverpool.'

Dave will be revealing some of his culinary secrets when he appears in the cookery theatre, sponsored by Home Bargains at Southport Flower Show, on Friday, 19 August 2022, at 1pm. He said:- "I can't wait to prepare some of my favourite recipes at Southport and meet everyone there, it's going to be a great day out."

Also starring in the show kitchens will be fellow Liverpool born chef Ellis Barrie, who appeared on the recent revival of Ready Steady Cook on the BBC. Ellis, who launched the celebrated Marram Grass restaurant on Anglesey, will be making his 3rd appearance at Southport.

Visitors to Southport this year will also be able to see Hairy Biker Si King showcasing some of his favourite recipes. Southport Flower Show runs from Thursday 18, August to Sunday, 21 August 2022, with more than 55,000 visitors expected at the largest independent flower show in the UK.

Southport Flower Show General Manager, Alan Adams, said:- "Visitors to the cookery theatre are in for a real treat this year. We are delighted to welcome Dave to join our fantastic line up of talented chefs."

Southport Flower Show, sponsored by Home Bargains, is a registered charity (charity number1000698). Early bird tickets are now on sale for £24 until Wednesday, 17 August 2022. Gate price is £27. Children under 16 go free.