Grants starting at £20,000 available for food redistribution charities

Food redistribution charities can now apply for a share of a new £15 million Government scheme designed to ensure surplus food reaches those in need.

Each year, approximately 330,000 tonnes of edible food go to waste or are used as animal feed instead of being directed to people in need. Many charities lack the resources to recover this surplus food and distribute it effectively.

The newly launched Tackling Food Surplus at the Farm Gate scheme aims to bridge the gap between farms and charities, providing funding opportunities starting at £20,000 to help combat food insecurity in communities.

Starting today (Friday, 7 February), eligible organisations can submit proposals detailing their plans to establish partnerships with farmers, access surplus food, and expand their capacity for food redistribution.

The funding can be used to invest in essential equipment such as packaging and labeling tools, vehicles for transportation, and storage solutions like fridges and freezers to ensure food remains fresh for longer.

The fund is open to all food redistribution charities, and interested groups are encouraged to apply.

Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh stated:

“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. 

I encourage our brilliant, dedicated redistribution charities and non-profits to apply for this funding to ensure more British fruit and veg gets to those who need it most”.

A unified effort from industry leaders

In a joint statement, the CEOs of The Bread and Butter Thing, City Harvest, FareShare, The Felix Project, and Co-Chairs of The Xcess Group welcomed the initiative:

“As leaders of the surplus food redistribution sector and following years of campaigning, we are delighted to welcome the launch of this fund ahead of British growing season. 

It presents an opportunity to make a profound impact by empowering local charities and community organisations. These groups are the backbone of British society, and we are proud to support them. 

By working across the charitable redistribution sector, we can help ensure that this scheme is implemented efficiently through our joint capacity, delivers tangible value to taxpayers, and helps millions of meals reach as many people as possible at a time of considerable need”. 

Application details

Applications can be submitted online until 11:55 AM on 13 March 2025.

Building a sustainable future

This initiative is just one step in the Government’s broader effort to move away from a throwaway culture.

A newly established Circular Economy Taskforce, comprising experts from industry, academia, and civil society, will lead the development of a Circular Economy Strategy for England, outlining how different sectors can contribute to waste reduction and sustainability goals.

Additionally, continued support for the Courtauld Commitment 2030, managed by environmental NGO WRAP, will help build a more sustainable food supply chain. The initiative aims to tackle food waste at all levels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote responsible water use.

By investing in food redistribution and sustainability initiatives, the Government is taking concrete steps to reduce food waste, support communities, and create a more sustainable future for all.