McCain Expands UK Community Shop Partnership As Donations Reach £2.3 Million
McCain Foods is expanding its social-impact investment in the UK with the opening of a second Community Shop location, as its flagship Eastfield site marks two years of operation. The programme, run in partnership with the social enterprise Community Shop, is positioned as a circular-economy model that redirects surplus food into subsidised retail and community services.
The Eastfield shop in North Yorkshire—fully funded through McCain’s product donations—has received over £2.3 million worth of goods since opening in 2023. According to the company, these contributions have enabled more than 7,300 residents to access discounted essential items, alongside low-cost meals from the on-site Community Kitchen, where children eat for free daily.
The initiative also reinvests its own revenue into educational and skills-building programmes delivered through a dedicated Community Hub. Since launch, more than 1,600 people have participated in courses including cookery, home-budgeting, interview skills, and business development. A total of 5,900 courses and clubs have been completed so far, while members have collectively saved over £1.8 million on essential shopping. The Community Kitchen has provided over 20,000 free meals for children.
McCain’s continued support includes the opening of a new Community Shop in North Bransholme, Hull, scheduled for 11 December. The site will replicate the Store, Hub and Kitchen model and is expected to create 12 local jobs.
“McCain has called Eastfield home for over 50 years, and it’s a privilege to support an initiative like Community Shop that in only 2 years has helped over 7,300 people, served more than 20,000 free kids’ meals, and saved the community over £1.8 million,” said Jillian Moffatt, Regional President GB&I at McCain. “The impact of the store, hub, and kitchen speaks volumes, and we’re delighted to further strengthen our partnership with Community Shop through the opening of the new store in Hull next month.”
Gary Stott, Executive Chairman at Community Shop, added: “McCain’s support for Community Shop Eastfield is helping make a significant positive difference to local people and the wider community. Its continued commitment to provide surplus products means we’re also able to bring a new Community Shop to North Bransholme, and extend the support we offer through our Store, Hub and Kitchen, helping people to develop their own capabilities and deliver a positive future for themselves.”
In addition to this partnership, McCain notes that it has donated more than 3 million meals to FareShare since 2013.
