Around 330,000 tonnes of edible food is wasted or fed to animals each year before leaving farms
Thousands of tonnes of food, including popular festive items like brussels sprouts and potatoes, will be delivered to those in need, thanks to a new £15 million government fund aimed at reducing food waste.
Every year, an estimated 330,000 tonnes of edible food is either wasted or repurposed as animal feed before leaving farms. Farmers would much rather see this food go directly to people’s plates. However, many charities that redistribute food often lack the resources to collect it from farms and distribute it to those who need assistance.
To address this issue, a new scheme will offer grants starting at £20,000 to not-for-profit food redistribution organizations in England. This initiative aims to strengthen the connections between farms and charities, particularly during the holiday season when the spirit of giving is at its peak. It will benefit organizations such as homeless shelters, food banks, and other charities working to combat hunger.
The scheme will help British farmers provide good food to those who need it while also reducing the costs associated with waste management. Additionally, it will enhance the capacity and capability of the redistribution sector to handle surplus food from farms.
