191,000 Tonnes of Surplus Food Redistributed in the UK – Yet Millions Still Go to Waste
A Decade of Growth, and a Noticeable Slowdown
Over the past ten years, the UK has seen a remarkable shift in how edible surplus food is handled. Instead of ending up in the bin, increasing volumes are being channelled through redistribution networks and reaching community groups, charities and people facing food insecurity.
Large-scale redistribution charities and social enterprises have grown significantly, rescuing tens of thousands of tonnes of edible surplus annually and supplying hundreds of millions of meals. However, despite this progress, the sector is now warning that momentum is beginning to stall. Without stronger incentives and clearer regulatory support, a considerable proportion of edible surplus in the UK may continue to go unused.
How Much Surplus Food Is Being Redistributed?
Industry data shows that around 191,000 tonnes of surplus food were redistributed across the UK in 2023: equivalent to roughly 456 million meals.
Of this total:
- Charities handled approximately 140,000 tonnes
- This represents 73% of all food redistributed nationwide
- Retailers were the single largest source of redistributed surplus, supplying around 43% of all redistributed food
While supermarkets often receive criticism for food waste, they are typically among the most active contributors to redistribution partnerships. Many major retailers have prevention strategies in place and established pathways for diverting edible surplus.
The bigger challenge lies elsewhere in the supply chain. Significant quantities of edible waste arise:
- on farms
- within manufacturing and processing
- across hospitality and foodservice
Even with redistribution networks expanding, the scale of untapped surplus remains vast.
The Surplus Gap: Millions of Tonnes Still Going to Waste
According to national estimates, the UK produces around 4.6 million tonnes of edible food waste each year.
WRAP’s analysis suggests that:
- 465,000 tonnes of edible surplus are readily accessible for redistribution
- This alone could provide more than 1.1 billion meals
- Yet current redistribution efforts capture just 0.8% of this available surplus
- This gap highlights both the opportunity and the urgency.
Kris Gibbon-Walsh, CEO of FareShare, summarised the challenge:
“Across the UK, good food is going to waste at a time when many people are struggling to put meals on the table. Voluntary action alone is no longer keeping pace with the scale of the challenge.”
He added that upcoming government decisions on Circular Economy and Food policy represent a rare chance for meaningful national change.
Can the Charity Sector Handle More Surplus?
A common question is whether redistribution charities could cope if far greater volumes of surplus suddenly became available. Encouragingly, the sector has been building capacity for several years, and the outlook is broadly positive.
Investments and initiatives include:
- FareShare’s Nationwide Infrastructure
- Around 34 warehouses now operate across the UK
- Many sites report unused capacity or periods where they are underutilised
- The Coronation Food Project
- A programme inspired by King Charles III
- Focused on expanding redistribution capacity through regional hubs
- Aims to help charities process more seasonal and farm-level surplus
- Government Support at Farm Level
- The Tackling Food Surplus at the Farm Gate Scheme provides funding
- Helps with collection, logistics and redistribution of loose or short-shelf-life produce
Together, these developments indicate that capacity is growing, but policy support and financial stability remain critical to unlocking the full potential of the system.
A Growing Infrastructure, But an Even Larger Opportunity
Food redistribution in the UK has expanded dramatically, but the industry now stands at a turning point. While networks are stronger, the volume of edible surplus available remains far greater than current redistribution levels. Stronger incentives, clearer government frameworks and support across the supply chain will be essential for bridging this gap.
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