ONE of Hereford's biggest employers has helped put food on the tables of county families in need.

Cargill employees from the Hereford, Allensmore and Shobdon sites partnered with three food banks in Hereford, Leominster and Monmouth to collect much-needed food items.

The Hereford Food Bank, which has helped more than 1,492 people, provided a shortage list which highlighted tinned meat, tinned fish, coffee, jams, tinned rice, tinned custard, UHT and powdered milk, sugar, and instant mash.

Cargill was able to donate items that will equate to feeding a family of four with three meals a day for a year.

Richard Walden, operations manager at Cargill, Hereford, said: "We know we can help nourish the world by doing more with less.

"With our donation to the local food banks, we know we are reaching those who are food insecure in our local community."

At Cargill plants and offices around the world, employees are taking a variety of actions to reduce food waste.

Some locations are making donations to local food banks or organizing a 1/3 day, where employees commit to reducing food loss and waste. Others are working with farmers to reduce post-harvest loss or setting up local composting sites.

Jacquie Alsop, Hereford food bank co-ordinator, added: "Christmas can be a difficult time of year to find yourself in need of support.

"We welcome donations which can be made at Unit 5, 32 Aubrey Street, Hereford between 10am and 12noon or 1pm to 3pm week day.

"We were delighted that Cargill worked with our shortage list and they have been able to provided items that will make a real difference to the people being referred to Hereford Food Bank."