£13.6 Million Boost To Redistribute Surplus Farm Produce To UK Charities

The Government has announced a £13.6 million funding package to support 12 charitable organisations in redistributing surplus farm produce to communities across the country.

The investment, part of the Government’s wider commitment to reducing food waste and tackling food poverty, aims to rescue over 19,000 tonnes of surplus food from British farms—equivalent to more than 45 million meals.

Among the recipients are national and regional food redistribution charities, including FareShare UK, The Felix Project, City Harvest, and Food in Community. The funding will help these organisations expand their capacity to collect, process and deliver surplus fruit, vegetables and other fresh produce directly from farms to people in need.

FareShare UK will receive £9.2 million to support its extensive redistribution network, while City Harvest has been allocated over £300,000. Devon-based Food in Community is set to receive £1.5 million to further its local initiatives. Each organisation plays a pivotal role in ensuring edible surplus food is redirected to frontline charities and community groups.

Waste Minister Mary Creagh said: This Government’s Plan for Change is acting on food poverty and tackling Britain’s throwaway culture, ensuring more good food ends up on plates and not in bins.

"I am delighted to see this support go to 12 outstanding redistribution charities to form closer relationships with our hard-working farmers, and ensure their good food goes to those in need."

In 2023, UK food businesses redistributed 191,000 tonnes of food, equivalent to 456 million meals. However, much of this redistribution has focused on retail and manufacturing, with relatively little surplus recovered at the farm level. The new funding seeks to close that gap and provide long-term support for a more efficient and inclusive redistribution system.

Waste reduction charity WRAP welcomed the announcement, noting that surplus food redistribution not only reduces pressure on household budgets but also contributes significantly to lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

The move is also expected to benefit UK growers, offering a practical solution for managing unsold or imperfect produce that would otherwise go to waste. By working with trusted redistribution partners, producers can contribute to national sustainability goals while supporting vulnerable communities.

The initiative forms part of the Government’s Plan for Change, which includes measures to support families with the cost of living and address systemic inefficiencies in the food supply chain.