A new £15 million government fund will support charities, food banks, and homeless shelters in repurposing surplus farm food to combat waste and hunger.

Launching in 2025, the scheme will offer grants starting at £20,000 to nonprofit organizations in England's food redistribution sector. This initiative builds on a food waste prevention pledge made by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and upheld by current PM Sir Keir Starmer. According to government estimates, around 330,000 tonnes of edible food are wasted annually or diverted to animal feed.

The funding aims to equip charities with resources such as hoppers, balers, and new technology while providing training for staff to efficiently redirect food destined for waste to those in need.

Labour's Circular Economy Minister, Mary Creagh, emphasized the importance of this effort during the festive season:
"With families gathering to celebrate Christmas and the New Year, it's vital to think of those in our communities who may be facing hunger. Nobody wants to see good food go to waste—especially farmers who work tirelessly to produce it for families across the country."

The initiative has been met with enthusiasm from leaders in the food redistribution sector. Charlotte Hill and Kris Gibbon-Walsh, chief executives of The Felix Project and FareShare respectively, expressed their excitement after years of advocating for such support. They emphasized the urgency of implementing the scheme in time for the British growing season to maximize its impact.

This funding is expected to significantly bolster efforts to reduce food waste and provide assistance to those in need, aligning with broader sustainability and social welfare goals.