SUPERMARKET bosses have vowed to feed an increasing number of local people who are experiencing food poverty.

Sainsbury's Braehead is donating fresh fruit and vegetables, and frozen and tinned food that would otherwise go to waste.

The shop has joined forces with two Glasgow charities to set up a food donation scheme.

Staff will give the food, which is still within its use by dates, to the city centre branch of the Marie Trust and Govan branch of the Salvation Army.

It will then be distributed to local people, an increasing number of whom are being forced to turn to charities and food banks to put meals on the table because rising living costs and benefits reforms.

This week produce manager for Sainsbury's Braehead, Craig Edwards, visited the Marie Trust to deliver the first trolley-load of food to fundraising officer Catherine Lavery.

She said: "We are delighted to be receiving this kind donation from our colleagues at Sainsbury's Braehead.

"These items will really help local people who are suffering from food poverty and homelessness.

"We are looking forward to working closely with Sainsbury's Braehead to insure that as many people as possible can benefit from this great donation."

Andy White, community affairs manager for the supermarket giant, added: "There are hundreds of hungry mouths to feed in our local community and by donating food to charities we are saving thousands of tonnes of food needlessly going to land fill."

Sainsbury's will make its first delivery to the Govan branch of the Salvation Army later this month.

linzi.watson@ eveningtimes.co.uk