Neighbourly is looking for charities to get involved as it aims to increase the use of surplus food

An online service that aims to boost foodbank supplies is looking for more members.

Giving platform Neighbourly has handed out the equivalent of more than seven million meals to 1,500 charities and community projects across the UK and Ireland over the last three years.

But it now it is seeking more charities to sign up due to an increase in the supply of food for charitable redistribution from retailers and food manufacturers.

According to figures released by the charity Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) in July, charitable redistribution rose by around 80% over the past two years and by 30% among commercial organisations.

Neighbourly founder Nick Davies said: “While the Neighbourly platform has distributed the equivalent of more than seven million meals over the past three years, it’s imperative that we keep building knowledge across the sector that this valuable resource is available.

“We invite charities of all shapes and sizes to join, from small community groups right through to larger charity networks, who in particular are able to put chilled items to good use.

“So much of the food surplus supply chain is as yet untapped. The Neighbourly Food Surplus scheme is free and easy for charities and community food projects to get involved with, so we encourage them to sign up.”