Rotarians on the road for FareShare

Dundee Rotarians are volunteering as “white van men” to distribute surplus in-date supermarket food to charities.


Past President Gavin Strachan and Secretary Andrew Argo spend Monday mornings delivering food which supermarkets can’t sell to meal-providing charities under the FareShare scheme. 

In Dundee, the surplus food is stored in FareShare’s depot where a new chiller and freezer have been added.With increased capacity, the project in Dundee can accept more food to benefit more people. The project in the city supplies more than 120 charities, including holiday hunger schemes, homeless hostels, refuges, family centres and hospices.

In the year to March 2019, FareShare in Dundee shipped 311 tonnes of food, an increase of almost 60% on the previous 12 months.Without the surplus supermarket food from FareShare, many people using these centres would struggle to receive regular meals. 

Each week we help to feed thousands at risk of hunger in our communities, but we know demand for our service is rising. That is why we are grateful for the support of Dundee Rotary Club and dedicated volunteers like Gavin and Andrew giving their time each week.

”Dundee Rotary Club’s involvement in FareShare came about through community Service convener Jim Pickett, a former board member of Transform Community Development in Dundee, which operates FareShare in the city. He reported FareShare’s need for volunteers to drive its delivery vans, and raised it as a scheme for Dundee Rotary Club to support.

The Dundee club agreed, seeing it as a project to fulfil the Rotary aim of providing a service to the community.



Chris Doig, manager of FareShare in Dundee, said: “We have been working closely with Dundee Rotary Club for a number of years and they are a really valued advocate for our cause. 

Chris called on Rotarians and others to step forward to support FareShare. He added: “Just £1 enables FareShare to provide a meal for a family of four, and a few hours of your time volunteering can make a real difference.”

FareShare does an excellent job in distributing ex-supermarket food. I congratulate Dundee Rotary Club for helping with this initiative, showing they are people of action.”

Dundee Past President Gavin Strachan pointed out how the project abides closely with Rotary’s core values.He said: “The work done by FareShare is invaluable and is very much appreciated by the recipients. It is unfortunate that in this day there is such a need. The involvement of the Rotary Club of Dundee is another example of vocational work we can offer the community and embraces the objective of service above self.”

Alistair McNair, District Governor of Scotland North, which includes Dundee, praised the partnership working.

He said: “FareShare does an excellent job in distributing ex-supermarket food. I congratulate Dundee Rotary Club for helping with this initiative, showing they are ‘people of action.’ “I would encourage other Rotary clubs to support similar projects to tackle food poverty.”

Article by Dave King from Rotary GB&I Magazine published Oct 2019 
Dundee Rotarians are volunteering as ‘white van men’ to distribute surplus in-date supermarket food to charities.

Andrew ArgoContact Andrew Argo about this page:

(ALL fields required)

(If you are a Rotarian, please name your club.)

Related pages...

Rotary in the Community

more Chair of Fundraising, Sarah Craig, was invited by CEO of Alzheimer Scotland Henry Simmons to a special lunch today at the charity’s Dundee base.

£500 Donation to Menzieshill Mosaic Club

more Details of recent donation to keep community group running.

Lifegate Church ‘back on the road’ thanks to £1000 donation

more The Lifegate Church in Dundee is now “back on the road” with Dundee Rotary Club’s support.

Community Small Grants Fund

more Do you have an idea that would make things better for the people in your community? Are you prepared to do something about it? Need some help to make it happen?

Honorary life memberships presented

more Three members receive awards for their long service

Honorary memberships awarded

more Scott Henderson, Jake Anderson and Robert Nimmo granted honorary memberships for long service

Rotarian Judith McMurray delivers the packs to patients at Ninewells Hospital.

Comfort packs for patients at Ninewells Hospital

more Boost for patients unable to receive supplies from visitors during Covid pandemic

Addressing need in our communities

more Donation of £800 of Feel Good Packs for young people in Menzieshill area

Donate a Meal

more Thursday lunch payments to local charitable causes

Panto at Kingspark School

more thanks to Rotary Kids Out festive programme

Donation to Dundee schools

more Alastair Scott presents cheques to schools on behalf of the Rotary Club of Dundee

Defibrillator Collaboration Initiative at, Botanic Gardens, Dundee

more Dundee Rotary Club assists with the purchase of a Defibrillator at Botanic Gardens

President Gavin Strachan, Carly Edwards, Margaret Mitchell and Trevor Kay

Endeavor Award presentation

more Presentation to Abertay student Carly Edwards

Romany makes hay!

more The Rotary Club has supported 'The Brae' over many years

Endevour Awards 2018

more Welcome to The Rotary Club of Dundee’s annual Endeavour Awards

Cheque presentation at Dundee Ice Arena

more Rotarians donate cheque to Megan for the Bald is Beautiful campaign following Christmas Ice Panto

Rotary Endeavour Award

more Molly Urquhart receives recognition for volunteer work

Dai John with Michael Parks

Cheque presentation to Michael Parks of Erskine Care Homes

more Rotarian Dai John presents a cheque to Michael Parks of Erskine Care Homes

Kings Park school children enjoy a fairground ride at Rotary Kids Out

Rotary Kids Out

more Dundee Rotarians enjoyed a great day out with kids from Kings Park School

2017 Endeavour Awards

2017 Endeavour Awards

more Recognising and celebrating the achievements of volunteers

Community Service Committee - February 2017.

more Minutes of meeting of Rotary Club of Dundee community service committee, Thursday, February 9, 2017.

Minute of meeting of community service committee on Thursday, January 19, 2017.

more Minute of meeting of community service committee held on Thursday, January 19, 2017.

Community Service Committee minute, Thursday, December 15, 2016.

more Minute of meeting of the community service committee in Calders, Whitehall Street, Dundee on Thursday, December 15,2016.

Community Service |Committee, Thursday, November 10, 2016.

more Community Service committee, Thursday, November 10, 2016.

Brae riding trainers with Rotarian volunteers

Brae Riding Christmas Training Day

more Four Rotarians attended a special training session at Brae Riding for the Disabled

Cyclists from the Rotary Club of Dundee supporting the Rotary Ride 2015 for Prostate Scotland

2015 Cycle for Prostate Scotland

more Rotarians from Dundee, Monifieth and North Fife take part in the Rotary Ride for Prostate Scotland

Cateran Yomp ... First Lady and Fastest Mixed Team

Cateran Yomp

more Cateran Yomp ... First Lady and Fastest Mixed Team

Left to right Robert Dunn, club president; Ricky McKell, Eagles Wings; Frances Parry, Cornerstone; Katrina Saunders, Cairn Fowk; Judy McGreal, Brae Riding; Tina Brown (for Linda Falconer), Dundee Food Bank, and John Irvine, club community service convener

2015 Endeavour Awards

more The Rotary Club of Dundee presented endeavour awards to deserving volunteers from five local charities on Thursday 4th June.

Food on Friday cheque presentation

Donation to Food on Friday

more Dundee Rotary Club donate �1000 to Food on Friday

Car Wash - all it ever does is rain!

more PP Alastair out cleaning the car!

Children and volunteers gather for a photograph

Food on Friday - Easter Cook School

more Outside yoga session to finish the day at the Easter Cook School

Charlie Kean, Sheena Leadbitter, Rotary president Robert Dunn and Bill Macfarlane Smith.

Spreading Christmas Cheer!

more The Rotary Club of Dundee brought Christmas cheer to a range of charities.

Young carers party

Young carers Party

more Young carers celebrated at a party sponsored by Dundee Rotary Club

back to page above this...

Community Service

back A little taste of what Community Service do