A NATIONAL supermarket has thanked its customers after reaching a charity milestone.

Bournemouth residents have helped to decrease the rate of poverty and reduce the amount of food waste.

Tesco has praised the residents after it was revealed that 220 million meals were donated to its community food connection programme from across the UK.

Over the years, the partnership has seen 9,912,493 meals’ worth of food donated in the region.

Matthew Barnes, UK CEO of Tesco, said: “Tesco is immensely proud of its partnership with FareShare and the fantastic achievement of donating 220 million meals over the last 12 years.

“None of this could have been done without the passion, determination and drive of the countless people in places such as Bournemouth who have contributed to it, and it is to them today that we say a big thank you.

“But the hard work doesn’t stop here. While this is a momentous milestone, we remain committed to partnering with FareShare as we work towards our goal of halving food waste and getting more good food to people.”