When you think of homeless food charities, your mind immediately conjures images of steaming soup kitchens.

But the folks at FareShare have found themselves dishing out sea bass, caviar and smoked salmon in recent weeks.

"A lot of the food we get is donated by supermarkets and producers because it is getting close to the end of its short shelf life," explains Pete Wright, operations manager at the charity. "I imagine it says something about the current state of the economy, that these top end products aren't being bought at the moment.

"But we're certainly making good use of them – distributing them to charities across the city."

FareShare South West, which is run out of a Bedminster warehouse, shifts 30 tonnes of unwanted – but perfectly good – food each week.

The national charity, which has had a Bristol branch running for the past 18 months, works to manipulate wasteful loopholes in the food industry for the greater good of charities across the city.

Sometimes food can be rejected by supermarkets because the bananas are too curvy, or because the carrots have a kink in them.

Other food that comes to the distribution warehouse in Mead Rise, off York Road, simply has its label askew or because the package design has been updated.

"We distribute all sorts of food from 41 companies – 23 of which are local producers.

"We also get a lot of stuff from big companies like Nestle and Sainsbury's," explains Jacqui Reeves, project manager at FareShare.

"Then we give it out to more than 40 charities across the city – mostly homeless charities like the Wild Goose Cafe and the Salvation Army, but also women's projects, pensioners' breakfast clubs, and some young people's groups.

"Our annual running costs are £146,000, so we rely on donations, fundraising, grants, and we also charge a small membership fee to the charities that receive our food – around £40 per week. But we've estimated that an organisation like the Wild Goose Cafe in Stokes Croft that is dishing out food to homeless people all day, can save 75 per cent of its running costs by signing up for our deliveries."

The charity believes that if it can save 50 organisations £20,000 a year on providing food, £1 million can be directly reinvested in the community.

The Bedminster warehouse was set up 18 months ago at a cost of £200,000, including a £9,714 grant from the National Lottery's Awards For All scheme for training volunteers to drive the vans and to get food hygiene certificates.

The 60 volunteers come from all backgrounds – from students to professionals, workers for partner charities to former homeless people.

Graham Purnell has been volunteering at the centre for three days each week since January.

"I'm a recovering drug addict," he explains. "I came down to Bristol from London so that I could shake off my addiction and move on.

"Bristol has been a brilliant place for me, so I wanted to give something back to the community. But volunteering in the warehouse has also been good for my recovery. It keeps me occupied, and it makes me feel good to know I'm doing work that is for a good cause.

"It's also given me the opportunity to gain NVQ qualifications in things like warehouse management, forklift truck operating, maths and English. It's allowed me to get a college place for next term, and I'm hoping that it will eventually help me to find employment."

Simon Nelmes and Kevin Odam, both from Bedminster, have also volunteered their services because they are currently unemployed.

"The alternative these days is to sit at home watching Jeremy Kyle," Simon laughs. "I might be out of work, but I'd rather do some good with my time, rather than lazing about at home."

Kevin adds: "I enjoy driving the van and delivering the crates of food to the good causes. At least you know you're giving something back."

FareShare is looking for volunteers, fundraisers and food industry donors. For more information call the charity on 0117 971 1005.