A food redistribution charity is urging food businesses to help tackle the annual "hunger gap".
From January to April, FareShare Sussex and Surrey, which has a depot in Brighton, experiences a dip in donations following the Christmas period, with fewer crops harvested at this time of year.
In March 2024, on average FareShare Sussex and Surrey received 30 per cent less food, while the amount of fresh produce donated in February dropped to 37 per cent – well below the annual average of 47 per cent.
To help address the shortfall, known as the ‘"hunger gap", FareShare is urging food businesses to donate their surplus produce, prioritising fresh or frozen foods that are in-date and properly stored.
This includes wonky vegetables, short shelf-life stock, mislabelled items and catering packs, which help top up the charity’s existing supply of ambient goods.
Amid the challenges posed by the hunger gap, the partner charities and community groups which FareShare Sussex and Surrey supplies are forced to depend more heavily on packaged goods to meet community needs, making it harder to provide balanced and nutritious meals.
Historically, FareShare Sussex and Surrey has relied on imported or polytunnel-grown produce to fill seasonal gaps.
Rising energy costs, however, have made it increasingly difficult for growers to operate polytunnels, while extreme weather — both in the UK and across Europe — has destroyed significant crops.
George Shaw, food supply manager at FareShare Sussex and Surrey, said: “We know from our suppliers that fresh produce in the UK is often low during the early part of the year. Unfavourable weather and low temperatures limit the variety of available produce and can disrupt the growing season for many fruits and vegetables.
“Additionally, climate change is driving more unpredictable weather patterns, which are further impacting crop yields and the availability of fresh produce.”
With a new chiller at its Brighton depot, the charity has significantly boosted its capacity to store and distribute essential food supplies to those in need.
Food businesses looking to donate can contact by emailing givefood@faresharesussexandsurrey.org.uk or calling food supply manager George Shaw directly on 07546 70421.
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