A COMMUNITY project, which has saved hundreds of tonnes of food being wasted, is celebrating a birthday this Friday.

The CRUMBS (Co-ordinated Re-Use Makes Business Sense) project is bringing together its business partners and volunteers to celebrate the success of this innovative project on Friday.

Southampton City Council and teamed up with Southampton City and Region Action to Combat Hardship (SCRATCH) to launch the Co-ordinated Re-Use Makes Business Sense (CRUMBS) project last year.

They won £335,000 funding through the South England European Regional Development Fund to kickstart the scheme.

At thelaunch they said the scheme, which has been backed by city MP Alan Whitehead, will also boost small businesses in the city and create 50 jobs and volunteering posts.

Since the project began in the city, CRUMBS has saved 436 tonnes of food from being wasted and saved 1800 tonnes of CO2.

Councillor Satvir Kaur, cabinet member for communities, culture and leisure at Southampton City Council, said: “It is always great to celebrate successes, but even more so when the work involved sees people giving up their own time for the good of the environment and the local economy, which as a result aims to help the poorest and most vulnerable within Southampton’s communities.

“Food poverty is a growing issue and I would like to add my thanks to the project organisers and volunteers who have helped support local businesses to use perfectly good food that would otherwise go to landfill.”

The event is open to all Hampshire businesses that would like to join the scheme or simply find out a bit more about the project.

Refreshments sourced by the project will be available for you to sample.Email info@crumbs-southampton.co.uk or call 07811 165 534 to book your place.