FareShare and KFC have teamed up with self-taught chef and TV personality Big Zuu to source the nation’s favourite chicken recipes to help feed people going hungry this summer.
“The chicken KFC provides is vital to us because it provides the people and communities we cook for with a source of protein they would otherwise go without.”
Zahra Sul, Community Kitchen Chef at The SPACE Hub
The #DishUp campaign aims to inspire community kitchen chefs with new ways of cooking up KFC chicken, redistributed through FareShare Go, and forms part of KFC’s ongoing support of FareShare.
Big Zuu is calling on the public to share their favourite chicken recipes on Instagram, TikTok or Twitter using the hashtag #DishUp and tagging @KFC_UKI.
The ten winning recipes from the public will be dished up by Big Zuu and rolled out to community kitchens across the UK, using fried chicken provided by KFC.
The competition opens on Tuesday 8 August and closes Sunday 3 September 2023.
Winners will be notified via direct message from the @KFC_UKI handle on social media and invited to cook up their recipes with Big Zuu in a local community kitchen.
Commenting on why he’s supporting the campaign, Big Zuu, says: “It shouldn’t matter who you are, where you come from, or what you’re going through – everyone deserves access to food. It isn’t only about sustenance; it brings people together. But right now, too many people are missing out on the joy of a good meal because of circumstances beyond their control. It’s not right and that’s what this campaign wants to change. So, British public, I need you! You donate the recipes, KFC will provide the chicken, and together we’ll dish up some delicious meals to people who need it most.”
KFC and FareShare started working together in 2022 to redistribute surplus chicken to charities and community groups. By 2024, KFC aims to have redistributed the equivalent of 12 million meals.
Kris Gibbon-Walsh, Chief Operating Officer at FareShare, says: “Food prices have risen dramatically over the last year, meaning many people are finding it near impossible to access affordable food. The burden is even more pronounced over the summer holidays when many families do not have the safety net of free school meals. We’ve seen a huge uptick in the need for FareShare food as more people turn to community kitchens and support services to get by.
“That’s why our partnership with KFC is so valuable – the chicken they provide is a wonderful treat for so many people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford it, and ensures that no matter what they are going through in life, people can rely on getting a good meal from their local community group.”
Jenny Packwood, Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer at KFC UK & Ireland says: “We’re inspired every day by the amazing work that FareShare and its network of charities do, but despite so many people’s efforts, food poverty is on the rise across the UK.
“It’s not right that people are going hungry and we believe that good food, especially great chicken, should never go to waste. That is why we work with FareShare to ensure the chicken we provide through the partnership helps to feed people going hungry in our communities, and why we have an ambition to redistribute the equivalent of 12 million meals by 2024.
“But we need the public’s help! Community kitchen chefs have told us that they don’t always know what to cook with the chicken we give. That’s why we want to tap into the creativity of the nation’s foodies and our KFC fans to bring some inspiration to community kitchens and help them serve up good food for people going hungry.”
Zahra Sul, Community Kitchen Chef at The SPACE Hub in Notting Hill says: “Sadly, we’re seeing more and more people needing to access our services, as it’s getting tougher for people and in particular, families with young children to make ends meet. Over the summer holidays, the need is even more pronounced.
“The chicken KFC provides is vital to us because it provides the people and communities we cook for with a source of protein they would otherwise go without. We are committed to ensuring that no one in Kensington and Chelsea goes hungry and it is thanks to this kind of partnership we can create real solutions to lift people out of food poverty. It’s also a real treat that brings joy to many who need it. We’re hoping this call out provides us with lots of inspiration and new ideas to ensure we can keep dishing up good food to our local community.”
