FareShare works with the food industry, including retailers, wholesalers and producers, to redistribute good-to-eat surplus food to over 8,000 charities and community groups across the UK. Many of these groups work tirelessly to support children and their families who are struggling with the rising cost of living.
Minister Zeichner met with FareShare chief executive George Wright, alongside the volunteers and staff at the warehouse, who help store, package and deliver food that would otherwise go to waste to charities in Bristol and beyond.
Minister Zeichner said: “FareShare’s efforts to stop surplus food going to waste, and getting it to the people who need it most across the UK, is an encouraging glimpse of a more sustainable food sector. But we cannot rely on charity to address food poverty, and I’m proud to be part of a Government that is developing an ambitious strategy to reduce poverty and tackle inequality.”
While FareShare works with hundreds of businesses to get more food to people who need it, the equivalent of seven billion meals worth of food still goes to waste across the food industry every year.
Wright added: “We’re delighted to welcome Minister Zeichner to FareShare South West and provide him with an opportunity to hear directly from our dedicated volunteers about the crucial work we do to support communities in the South West and across the UK. Despite our efforts, we still witness an alarming amount of perfectly edible food wasted on farms and factories.
“In recent week, Defra has highlighted its commitment to achieving a zero waste Britain and adopting a circular economy. We welcome this vision from the department and were pleased to meet with the Minister, who has steadfastly advocated for a sustainable British food industry. We look forward to collaborating with the new Government to transform the issue of food waste into a positive social impact.”