£15 Million Food Surplus Fund Now Open for Applications

£15 Million Food Surplus Fund Now Open for Applications

We are excited to announce that the UK Government has launched a new £15 million fund to tackle food surplus at the farm gate. This initiative aims to ensure that surplus food reaches those in need, rather than going to waste.

Key Details:

• Funding Available: Grants starting from £20,000 are available for food redistribution charities.
• Purpose: The fund will help charities form relationships with farmers to access surplus food and increase their capacity to redistribute it to communities.
• Eligible Uses: Funding can be used for purchasing packaging, labelling equipment, vehicles, and storage solutions like fridges and freezers.

Application Process:

Applications are open until 11:55 am on 13 March 2025. Interested charities can submit their bids online, outlining how they plan to collaborate with farmers and enhance their food redistribution efforts.

Minister’s Statement:

Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Nobody wants to see good food go to waste – especially farmers who work hard to put food on our nation’s tables. This fund will help charities work more closely with farmers to create new ways to get fresh produce to the people who need it most.”

Sector Leaders’ Support:

Leaders from key food redistribution organizations, including The Bread and Butter Thing, City Harvest, FareShare, and The Felix Project, have expressed their support for the fund. They highlighted the potential for this initiative to make a significant impact by empowering local charities and community organizations.

For more information visit the official GOV.UK page.