A NATIONAL bakery brand is working with the borough’s voluntary sector in order to reduce food waste.

Hovis, which has one of its main distribution centres in Golborne, is signed up to Wigan Council's Deal for Business.

The scheme encourages companies based in the borough to give back to the community.

The company works with charities and community groups to donate food that is within its best-by dates but cannot be distributed to supermarkets as a result of customers changing their order quantities.

Organisations that the firm has worked with on the scheme include Compassion in Action, Fur Clemt and Sunshine House.

The collaboration is in line with the company’s commitment to reducing food waste and supporting members of the community.

Team leader at Hovis, John Novak, said: “We’re very proud to be a part of Wigan Council’s The Deal for Business and we are fully committed to giving back to local communities.

“We aim to keep food waste to a minimum and reduce the amount of bread going into landfill.

"In order to achieve this, we have established great partnerships with three amazing groups who support residents across the borough and distribute our excess produce so it can be enjoyed by their service users.”

Founder of Compassion in Action in Leigh, Pam Gilligan, said: “Our heartfelt thanks to Hovis, who embraced the work of our charity by donating bread weekly so we can benefit from even more resources.

“It is with the wonderful support of many companies like Hovis who are helping us to help others during traumatic times in their lives.

"By working together, we can make a difference.”

READ > Meet the former Leigh Grammar School students getting together 57 years after completing studies

Hovis also recently supported the Whaley Bridge crisis by donating bread to residents who had been evacuated from their homes.

Wigan Council leader, Cllr David Molyneux, said: “Creating an economy that is both successful and sustainable is a key priority and The Deal for Business signifies a shared commitment with businesses within the borough to achieve this.

“We pledge to engaging with businesses big and small in order to help our economy to thrive and will continue to work with them to help them develop and me innovative but we also want them to recognise the role they play and encourage them to invest in the communities in which they’re based.

“Businesses and communities can learn a lot from each other and it’s crucial they work together in order to build a stronger borough.

“Hovis is a sterling example of how the private and voluntary sectors can work together to really make a difference in people’s lives.”

In addition to their community work, Hovis has been working closely with the council over the years around their site development plans.

John added: “The Invest in Wigan team has been really useful in connecting us to colleagues who are able to advise on our plans to develop our site and ensure our vehicle maintenance programme is effective and eco-friendly.”