Charities and not-for-profit organisations across England can now apply for a share of a £15 million fund designed to tackle food waste and support those in need, the UK government has announced.
The Food Redistribution Grant, launched today, will help organisations cover the costs of redistributing surplus food from retailers, food manufacturers, and hospitality businesses to frontline charities and community groups. The funding aims to ensure that edible food, which might otherwise go to waste, reaches those struggling with food insecurity.
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has made the grant available as part of a broader effort to reduce food waste and support households facing hardship. Food Minister Mark Spencer said:
“Our farmers and food producers work hard to produce high-quality food, so we must ensure that perfectly good surplus food does not go to waste. This fund will help support food redistribution organisations with the infrastructure they need to get food to those who need it most.”
The funding will be administered by WRAP, a climate action NGO that works on reducing food waste across the supply chain. Chief Executive Harriet Lamb welcomed the initiative, stating:
“We are delighted to administer this fund on behalf of Defra. The funding will provide a real boost to food redistribution and ensure more edible food reaches those who need it.”
The scheme builds on previous government investments in tackling food waste, including the £11.7 million Food Waste Prevention Programme, which has helped redistribute thousands of tonnes of surplus food.
The government estimates that 1.1 million tonnes of surplus food is wasted in the UK supply chain each year, with nearly 200,000 tonnes being edible and suitable for redistribution. This funding aims to bridge that gap, ensuring that more food reaches food banks and community groups instead of being discarded.
Eligible organisations can apply for funding via WRAP’s website, with applications open until March 2025 or until the funds are fully allocated.
For more information on how to apply, visit the WRAP website or the UK government’s official page.
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