Labor ministers have thrown their support behind a £15 million government plan to rescue surplus food from UK farms – often thrown away or fed to animals – and distribute it to homeless shelters, food banks and charities, especially over the festive period.
The fund, originally promised by Michael Gove in 2018 and again by Rishi Sunak in 2024, never got off the ground despite persistent calls from charities. After renewed pressure this autumn, including an open letter from chef Tom Kerridge and hundreds of non-profits, the Labor government confirmed that grants starting at £20,000 would be made available to non-profit food redistribution groups in England.
Under the scheme, these organizations can invest in equipment needed to collect and process bulk produce, develop technical solutions that link farms to charities, and provide basic IT training. About 330,000 tons of edible food is currently thrown away or fed to animals each year. With demand for festive staples such as cabbage and potatoes rising over Christmas, charities say the new funding could make an impact at just the right time.
Mary Craig, Minister for the Circular Economy, said: “As families gather to celebrate Christmas and the New Year, it is important to remember those who may be going hungry this festive period. “No one wants to see good food go to waste, especially farmers, who work hard to provide it.” Food on family tables.
Charlotte Hill, CEO of Project Felix, and Chris Gibbon-Walsh, Chairman of FareShare, welcomed the announcement, saying: “We are delighted to see this fund come to fruition. We are delighted that the Government has recognized that so much food is wasted on our farms, and that it should be redistributed to feed people who need it.” To him.
Harriet Lamb, CEO of global environmental NGO Wrap, added that the move “gives a strong start to the new year” and helps food charities and the agriculture sector develop immediate and long-term solutions. More details about the fund and eligibility criteria will be released early next year, while a newly formed Circular Economy Taskforce is set to publish a broader strategy aiming to halve food waste by 2030.