A plan to triple the volume of surplus food for redistribution has been developed by the food sector and the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD), with industry to work alongside Government as part of the National Programme to Redistribute Surplus Food.
The plan was developed by sector leaders and co-authored by IGD and the newly merged FareShare and The Felix Project, and will see the food industry, charities and social enterprises working collectively, alongside philanthropists and the Government.
Businesses who will take part include The Bread and Butter Thing, City Harvest, Community Shop, Feeding Britain, His Church, Neighbourly, Trussell and the Xcess Network.
Following the King’s Speech this year, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said to Parliament: “Faced with challenges, we don’t retreat from our Labour values. Strength through fairness. So, we will keep supporting those who need it the most, including by creating a new national programme to redistribute surplus food.”
IGD highlighted that the plan was built through the “leadership and convening power” of Number 10 and inspired by His Majesty the King through the Coronation Food Project. The National Programme to Redistribute Surplus Food will be delivered in partnership with Government, business, philanthropic, voluntary, community and social enterprise leaders, and the initiative establishes food redistribution as a “key pillar” in the UK’s national approach to food systems change.
IGD stated that with food inflation “set to rise sharply and household budgets coming under further pressure”, demand for support from the charity sector is expected to grow. The partners hope that funding committed through the National Programme to Redistribute Surplus Food will reach communities in time to support those turning to community organisations for help.
The news comes following The King’s visit to Greencore’s Warrington site to observe how the food industry is tackling food waste as part of the Coronation Food Project.
WRAP welcomes new food redistribution targets
Catherine David, CEO of the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), responded to the news, stating: “The Prime Minister’s announcement of a national programme to treble the redistribution of surplus food to people and communities across the UK is a vital step forward. WRAP supports the organisations on the front line of this critical work, as well as the incredible work of the King’s Coronation Food Project.
“I’m delighted WRAP was part of the discussions helping to shape this national ambition. Redistribution has a critical role to play, supporting stretched households while reducing the enormous financial and environmental cost of good food going to waste. We must also recognise the huge opportunity to prevent food waste from happening in the first place, particularly in our homes. Home is where most of the UK’s food waste occurs, which can cost a family of four an average of £1,000 – and we know that over 70% of people are worried by rising food prices.
“At a time when households are under growing financial pressure, tackling household food waste is one of the most immediate ways we can help people save money, strengthen food security and build resilience for the future.
“Today, with supply chains straining under geopolitical disruption and the cost of living continuing to rise, we must treat food as the precious resource it is. We cannot afford, economically, environmentally or socially, for wasting food to remain the norm. Whether in the fields, factories, shops, restaurants or our own kitchens, reducing food waste must become a shared national effort.
“As our world becomes an ever more unpredictable place, wasting food is a cost we can no longer afford to ignore and we are talking with key partners in Government, the food sector, the media, philanthropists and innovators to tackle the food bills crisis in people’s homes. We call on all partners to step forward and step up their efforts in the weeks and months ahead.”
