Andy Street, FareShare South West Chair of Trustees and founder. Andy is a whote man with a moustache, wearing a blue collared shirt and sitting at a desk.

FareShare South West founder Andy Street awarded MBE

FareShare South West founder and Chair of Trustees Andy Street has been awarded an MBE in the King’s birthday honours, in recognition of his “services to disadvantaged people in Bristol.”

The largest food charity in the region, FareShare South West joins the dots between food waste and hunger, turning an environmental problem into lasting social good. Street founded the organisation in 2007 to tackle urban food poverty by rescuing good-to-eat food directly from the food industry. Since then, the charity has grown to support over 42,000 individuals from Cornwall to Gloucestershire, with hubs in Bristol and Plymouth and over 350 volunteers.

Andy Street chats with attendees of FareShare South West's Spring Summit at Plymouth Argyle

“Committed, dedicated people”

Andy Street MBE said: “This award reflects the hard work of staff, trustees and volunteers at FareShare South West over nearly 20 years.

“I’m sad to say that during that time the need for affordable, healthy food has only grown – in Bristol and across the south west. But I know firsthand that this city and this region is replete with committed, dedicated people and organisations who are tackling these challenges together. It’s my privilege to be part of that movement.”

Andy Street, Shelley Wright, Lucy Bearn, Josie Forsyth

A sustainable future for community food support

FareShare South West CEO Lucy Bearn said: “Andy has been at the forefront of lifechanging impact for local people for over 20 years, and the whole team is delighted to see him recognised.

“FareShare South West started as a tiny operation with deliveries by pedal-bike. Last year we rescued food for over 4 million meals, with a retail value of a staggering £6.3 million: food that would be wasted while people go hungry. Andy’s vision to join those twin problems up remains transformative and inspiring – and he’s playing an essential role in establishing new sustainable support for the future, with a Bristol Multibank on the way in collaboration with the West of England Mayoral Authority and Bristol Charities, and many opportunities to access much more food.”

Andy with Nessa, who joined FareShare South West as a volunteer and is now a Hub Manager

Andy’s commitment to meaningful change, equity and social justice is evidenced not only by his work with FareShare South West but his other essential roles with InHope, Bristol Charities, Bristol City Funds, Sixty-One, Turnaround Bristol and Good Faith Partnership.

Congratulations Andy on this well-deserved recognition!