Community Food Initiatives North East (CFINE) is often misunderstood as being exclusively a food bank. However, CFINE is much more, providing a range of support services whilst leading on the front-line of tackling poverty, they are an Aberdeen based social enterprise, with a lot to offer.
Find out below how your business can help support CFINE’s charitable projects in a variety of ways.
Overview of CFINE
CFINE’s core purpose is to improve health and well-being and the environment, tackle poverty and build resilience for and with disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals, families, and communities. CFINE are funded by selling fruit and vegetables to individuals and businesses, receiving grant income, charitable donations and by partnering with corporates. All the profits are re-invested into a range of support services which have a huge impact across Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire. These services include:
- Community Food Outlets (CFO’s) across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire make fruit & veg affordable and accessible to disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals, families, and communities.
- 350 volunteers recruited, trained, and supported annually.
- Employability programmes providing valuable work experience, accredited training, personal development, CV writing and job-search support.
- FareShare Grampian, Highlands and Islands where surplus food is re-distributed to support communities including through 330 ‘Community Food Members’ across Grampian and Highlands and Islands. In 2023/24, 994 tonnes of produce distributed, saving 1,988 tonnes of carbon emissions, equates to 2.4 million meals with a retail value of £2.72 million.
- CFINE’s food bank distributed 38,205 emergency parcels in 2023/24.
- SAFE (Support Advice Finance Education) in 23/24, supported 3,253 beneficiaries, securing £1,039,035 in benefits.
- HOPE (Happily Optimistic Positively Energetic) project supports ex-offenders through work experience, SAFE, volunteering, employability.
- ‘Cook at the Nook’ community training kitchen provides free ‘healthy cooking on a budget’ training and food skills support.
- Delivery of Free Period Products. CFINE ran pilot on behalf of The Scottish Government, resulting in the roll out of a national scheme in Scotland (first country in the world).
- Community Growing Projects support 30 community growing spaces in Aberdeen and an estimated 80 community growers.
- The Fruit Mart, Skelton Street, Peterhead, supports 17 CFO’s, sells fresh produce. Provides up to 20 adults with learning difficulties with supported training.
- 1 static and 1 mobile Food Pantries in Aberdeen City making affordable food accessible to low-income families.
- Connecting with Communities is a mobile food service that operates to help rural communities across Aberdeenshire access affordable and healthy goods at a low cost.
An increasing rise in demand
As a charity working to tackle food poverty, CFINE has witnessed first-hand the impact of the cost-of-living crisis. Demand for CFINE’s support services spiked during the pandemic and has continued to rise due to the cost-of-living crisis.
“The last few years year have been unlike any other, with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis having a severe negative impact on the individuals, families, and communities which CFINE supports every day.” Fiona Rae, CFINE CEO.
How can you help?
The good news is that there are a variety of ways that businesses across the North-East can help to support our services while also getting something in return!
CFINE sells fruit and veg to businesses across Aberdeen. This includes fruit deliveries to offices, helping to promote healthy eating in the workplace, and wholesale deliveries to some of our larger customers, including NorthLink Ferries, Fletcher Shipping, and Tidewater and Compass; all of which we are proud to have contracts with.
“Thank you for excellent service yesterday from Robin. It was a pleasure to see him again. The fruit is excellent, and the snacks are nearly gone” – Subsea UK
"All my fruit and veg has been of high quality so thanks and keep it coming!" – Iain, MV Hrossey, NorthLink Ferries
We also operate a fruit and vegetable box scheme (Aberdeen only) – ‘Vegaroonitoon’ – delivering quality fruit and veg to your doorstep or workplace!
“I have been receiving deliveries of fruit and vegetables for a number of weeks now. The service is very efficient, the produce lovely and fresh. And even better, I am supporting a local charity. Keep up the good work, you're doing an excellent job!” – Yvonne - Customer
“Great quality, amazingly priced fruit & veg delivered with a smile to my doorstep, all whilst supporting local charity and business. What more could you ask for? I whole heartedly recommend.” – Vegaroonitoon - Customer
All profits from our sales are reinvested back into our support services and the development required to support thousands of individuals and families experiencing poverty across our communities. If you would like more information on ordering fruit and veg for your business or household, please click here.
Corporate Fundraising and Sponsorship
CFINE also has extensive experience in engaging with our corporate partners. Currently we offer businesses the following fundraising and volunteering opportunities:
- Community Kitchen Teambuilding Day
- Volunteering Day at CFINE
- Tesco Food Collection
- Company Fundraiser Days for CFINE
- Sponsor a van
- Sponsor a pantry membership
These opportunities are available to allow businesses to not only support CFINE, but to provide a day out with your team, to have the opportunity to give back to your local community and it allows individuals to learn more about the support available.
“Thank you so much for all the learning opportunities and the explanations provided. I wish you all the best for the future. I really admire you for what you are doing for people. Your help is priceless.” – Valentina, Total
“It was inspiring not just to witnessing the scope of the work of CFINE, but also the real passion with which our guides spoke about their work and the organisation. That was good to see.” – Food Standards Scotland
You can access a full breakdown of our corporate support options by clicking here.
“Whether ordering for business or for delivery to your home, I wish to thank everyone who buys fruit and veg from CFINE. With every purchase made, every penny of profit is reinvested into CFINE’s charitable activities providing support to 1000’s of individuals and families across our communities. Thank you!” – Fiona Rae, Chief Executive
Fiona Rae, CFINE CEO