Metro Rod has marked its 40 years in business with a 40,000 meal donation to FareShare, the UK’s biggest charity tackling food waste for social good.

To mark the donation, staff from the company’s Cheshire-based Support Centre spent a day volunteering at the charity’s Greater Manchester warehouse last month. They joined warehouse volunteers to sort and pack fresh produce and other items to be distributed to local charities.

FareShare works with the food industry to take good-to-eat surplus food, which might otherwise go to waste, and redistribute it to a network of 8,500 charities and community groups across the UK. 

Part of the multi-brand franchise business, Franchise Brands, Metro Rod was established in Cheshire 40 years ago. At the time, the company provided basic drainage services. It was acquired by Franchise Brands in 2017. 

Metro Rod now has a 42-strong franchise network offering a range of sophisticated drainage, tanker, and sewage pump services and has a £70m+ turnover. Their plumbing arm, Metro Plumb, also boasts 19 franchises (and growing) providing a same-day emergency and routine plumbing service.

Speaking about the anniversary, Peter Molloy, Managing Director of Metro Rod and Franchise Brand’s Water and Waste Division, “We are extremely proud to have completed our fortieth year in business, a significant milestone which bears testament to our expertise and strong service culture.

“This could not have been achieved without the hard work and commitment of our franchise owners and our expert Support Centre team. 

“We wanted to give something back to the communities in which we operate to celebrate this business achievement.  FareShare do amazing work redistributing surplus food and drink to vulnerable people each year across the UK. We are all delighted to be able to support them with this donation of 40,000 meals.”

Gemma Viner, Corporate Partnerships Officer at FareShare commented, “We are so grateful to everyone at Metro Rod for their incredible support, both in their time spent volunteering at our Greater Manchester warehouse and the donation of 40,000 meals. 

“This will help make a huge difference to helping us get good-to-eat surplus food to people who need it most, across our network of 8,500 charities and community groups across the UK. These organisations work to tackle the root causes of poverty, offering essential services and using food to help strengthen communities and reduce isolation.”