Fighting food waste for the third year running with turkey LEG UP

While it’s healthy to revel in a bit of opulence and celebration at Christmas, it’s also a time we need to be mindful of food waste. Did you know that over the festive period, 4.2 million Christmas dinners are wasted in the UK each year? In 2023 alone, people will throw away 263,000 turkeys, 17 million Brussels sprouts, and 11 million roast potatoes. With over one in seven people buying more than they need, the festive season produces a staggering amount of waste— even as millions face food insecurity.

At Field & Flower, we’re committed to doing our part to combat this. For the third year in a row, we’ll be running our Turkey LEG UP Campaign in partnership with food redistribution charity FareShare South West to redistribute remaining turkey legs from every free-range Bronze Turkey Crown sold by us at Christmas to people suffering from food poverty.

As a food business, it’s an important part of our ethos to uplift our local communities and build a sustainable future, and we believe it’s our responsibility to continue to hold the magnifying glass up to our processes and uphold our own high standards. Two years ago, we saw an opportunity to tackle a unique issue within the food industry — the overlooked turkey leg. With 70% of the 10 million turkeys sold for Christmas as crowns or joints, a staggering 14 million turkey legs are left unused each year, which is enough meat to fill 290 artic lorries. That’s when the Turkey LEG UP Campaign was born.

Looking Back: Milestones and Impact

Since 2022, the Turkey LEG UP Campaign has helped us redirect hundreds of turkey legs that may have otherwise gone to waste, providing meals for people facing food inequality at Christmas. Last year alone, we donated over 250 pairs of turkey legs, translating to nearly 400kg of meat. Together with each Turkey Crown purchase, we were able to make a real difference through the direct generosity of our customers.

Turkey LEG UP 2024: The Need Has Never Been Greater

This year, the need for support is still as urgent as it ever was. The cost-of-living crisis over the past few years has placed additional strain on countless families and individuals across the UK, driving demand for support at record levels. Essentials like food, fuel, and housing are putting new pressures on household budgets, making a simple, hearty Christmas meal out of reach for far too many.

In response, we’re thrilled to announce that our Turkey LEG UP Campaign is returning again with a bigger goal than ever. With your help, we hope to donate even more turkey legs to FareShare South West, who distribute them to those most in need throughout our communities.

Every Turkey Crown Purchase Counts

So, remember this year when you choose one of our free-range Bronze Turkey Crowns, you’re not just buying a centrepiece for your Christmas dinner table. You’re also sending a pair of turkey legs to FareShare South West, helping bring a nutritious Christmas meal to people who might otherwise go without. Just one pair of legs can feed 2-3 people, so with each purchase, you’re making a direct impact.

And it’s not just about being charitable. This initiative also goes a long way in supporting our independent farmers. When we place a turkey order from John our turkey farmer, we purchase the whole bird, meaning he doesn’t lose out on any profit, and he can put more money back into maintaining his exceptional welfare and quality standards.

Shop our range of free-range turkey n our Christmas shop today and help support the work of FareShare South West.