Every year, approximately 330,000 tonnes of edible food are either wasted or designated for animal feed before they even leave the farms. This alarming statistic emphasizes the need for effective food redistribution strategies.
In response, a new food waste initiative has been introduced, building on a commitment made by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. This program will provide grants starting at £20,000 specifically aimed at enhancing the not-for-profit food redistribution sector across England.
The funding presents a significant opportunity for successful applicants to acquire essential equipment, including balers or hoppers, which can streamline the collection and processing of bulk food items. Moreover, it will foster technological advancements to facilitate closer collaboration between donors and food redistribution charities. Additionally, this funding can support training programs to elevate staff skills in IT and food safety.
“Following years of campaigning by FareShare and The Felix Project, we are delighted that this fund will become a reality,” stated Charlotte Hill and Kris Gibbon-Walsh, co-CEOs of The Felix Project.
“We are pleased that the government has recognised that too much food goes to waste on our farms and that it should be redistributed to feed people who need it.”
“It is vital that the scheme is delivered in a manner that maximises the redistribution of surplus food to those who need it while addressing the systemic challenges that create waste.”
“Collaboration across the food industry, charitable redistribution sector, government, and farmers will be key to achieving this.”
Harriet Lamb, CEO of WRAP, emphasized: “This is welcome support for farmers and redistribution organisations, ensuring that more quality food is rescued to support additional people and communities while mitigating the environmental impacts of food waste on climate change.”
“It gives a flying start to the New Year, ensuring that food charities and the farming sector can both make a difference immediately while developing long-term solutions. While the amount of surplus food being redistributed is increasing, the demand is also rising, necessitating this much-needed boost. Last year, 191,000 tonnes of food from retailers, food manufacturers, the hospitality sector, and UK farms – valued at £764 million – was redistributed, yielding the potential for 450 million meals.”
To combat the throwaway culture, the Government has established a Circular Economy Taskforce, which includes members from industry, academia, and civil society across the UK. This taskforce is responsible for shaping a Circular Economy Strategy for England, which will detail how various sectors can contribute to sustainability goals. The strategy is set to be unveiled this year.
Additionally, the government continues to endorse the Courtauld Commitment 2030, managed by the environmental NGO WRAP, which aims to create a more sustainable supply chain and minimize food waste at the household level.
“We are confident that this scheme will be a step towards achieving a zero-waste economy, contributing to the environmental goals we pledged at recent COPs and under the Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, it will strengthen the sense of community and shared responsibility that the Prime Minister has highlighted,” the CEOs of The Felix Project added.
