Farm Food Waste: £15m Fund Now Open for Charities
Food distribution charities can now apply for a share of a £15 million government scheme aimed at reducing food waste and getting surplus food to those in need. Defra has highlighted that around 330,000 tonnes of edible food go to waste or are turned into animal feed before even leaving farms each year.
Strengthening Farm-Charity Partnerships
The new initiative, called “Tackling Food Surplus at the Farm Gate,” is designed to create stronger links between farms and charities. The funding will help charities collect and distribute surplus food, ensuring it reaches vulnerable communities instead of going to waste.
How Charities Can Apply
Grants start at £20,000, and from today (7 February 2025), charities can submit their proposals. Applications should outline how they plan to collaborate with farmers to access surplus food and expand their capacity to distribute it effectively.
What the Funding Covers
The financial support can be used for essential resources like packaging and labelling equipment, transport vehicles, and refrigeration units. These investments will help keep food fresh and make it easier to move from farms to redistribution organisations.
Minister’s Call to Action
Mary Creagh, Circular Economy Minister, emphasised the importance of reducing food waste: “Nobody wants to see good food thrown away – especially farmers who work so hard to produce it. This funding will help charities build stronger relationships with farmers and find new ways to get fresh produce to those who need it most.”
She urged charities and non-profits to apply, adding: “I encourage our dedicated redistribution charities to take advantage of this opportunity and ensure more British fruit and veg reaches the people who need it the most.”