Of the 119 applicants, the eight charities and not-for-profit groups below will each receive individual grants of between £40,000 and £75,000 so that they can “redistribute an additional 2,500 tonnes of quality food to feed people in need – the equivalent of around six million meals.”
- Action Homeless in Leicester
- His Church in London / the Midlands / the North West and North East
- in two centres in southern England
- FareShare Yorkshire
- Feedback Global
- Food in Community in South Hams Devon
- Nuneaton & Bedworth Healthy Living Network in Warwickshire
- REfUSE Durham in County Durham
The news follows brand new research from WRAP which shows that surplus food redistribution from retailers, manufacturers, hospitality and foodservice businesses increased by 50% (over £40m) in the two years from 2015-17.
Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey commented: “Congratulations to the eight groups which have received grants to aid their crucial work.
“Today’s announcement is a glowing example of the UK showing global leadership in measuring food waste and supporting food waste prevention projects.
“We’ve made good progress in tackling this problem, showing what can be achieved when the government and retailers work together. But there is more to do and this fund will help us waste less food and ensure more people in need get good quality meals.”
Subject to contract, the eight companies receiving grants will demonstrate what can be achieved with the Working Group sharing best practice, with the aim to encourage others to follow suit.
Director of WRAP, Peter Maddox, added: “It’s great to see such a rapid rise in redistribution and the growing number of partnerships between the supply chain and charities.
“This stops good food going to waste, and helps feed people. But we know there’s much more to do.
“Our research shows food redistributed from manufacturers and retailers could increase further - by more than 200,000 tonnes.
“There’s potential too to source greater amounts of surplus food from other parts of the supply chain, like primary production and the hospitality and food service sector.
“Our Courtauld 2025 Redistribution Working Group is helping to forge new links and supports both businesses and redistribution organisations in ensuring surplus food feeds people, first.
“Businesses signatories have committed to doubling the amount they redistribute by 2020. Seeing these numbers, I am confident they will hit that target.”