As the holiday season turns our attention to festive meals like turkey and mince pies, the pressing issue of food security takes center stage. In the UK, an alarming 10 million people face food insecurity, meaning they lack consistent access to affordable, nutritious food. Compounding this crisis, the government recently warned that the climate crisis poses a serious threat to the nation’s food security. At the same time, farmers have been protesting in Westminster, arguing that a weakened agricultural sector undermines the UK’s ability to produce its own food.
FareShare, a network of 8,300 charities, 34 regional centers, and 26,000 volunteers, reaches a million people annually, supporting children’s breakfast clubs, lunch groups for older adults, and grassroots initiatives tackling isolation and hardship. Despite these efforts, the organization struggles to meet growing demand.
This challenge is especially frustrating given that the UK wastes 12.8 million tonnes of surplus food every year, contributing 6-7% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Shockingly, 3 million tonnes of this waste occurs before food even leaves the farm. Yet, less than 20% of farmers donate their surplus to charities.
Recent progress offers a glimmer of hope. After years of advocacy by FareShare and The Felix Project, the government announced £15 million for farm-level surplus redistribution — an acknowledgment of the potential in repurposing surplus food. This initiative underscores that surplus food isn’t just a problem; it’s an opportunity.
Redistributing surplus food has profound social benefits. Last year, FareShare provided 135 million meals to over 8,300 charities, including Wigan Youth Zone, which combines meals with enriching activities like basketball and drama. A forthcoming University of Hertfordshire report highlights that for every £1 spent on surplus food redistribution, the UK sees £13 in social return on investment. However, realizing this potential requires scaling up food redistribution efforts.
Contrary to popular belief, retail accounts for only 2.34% of food waste. While retailers are reducing their waste, redistributors must shift their focus further up the supply chain to sectors like hospitality (8.59%), manufacturing (11.72%), and farming (25%) to capture more surplus food.
The US offers valuable lessons in creating a policy environment that supports surplus food redistribution. Tax incentives there encourage businesses to donate surplus food by offsetting redistribution costs. These measures balance compensation with safeguards against misuse, demonstrating the potential impact of small policy changes.
The UK could adopt similar measures, including mandatory food waste reporting, clear guidance for businesses on food donation, and policies that designate food redistribution as a “public good” under Environmental Land Management schemes. Technology platforms to coordinate redistribution and strategies to reduce reliance on charitable food aid by addressing poverty at its root are also essential.
The UK government’s recent strategies on food, the circular economy, and child poverty show promise. Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Defra, has expressed urgency in tackling food insecurity. Furthermore, reducing food waste is critical to combating climate change, as it produces five times the emissions of the aviation sector. Globally, food waste ranks as the third-largest emitter after the US and China, prompting international commitments to halve food waste and reduce related emissions.
Addressing food waste unites diverse stakeholders, bridging rural and urban divides while strengthening communities. By improving the food system, the UK can simultaneously reduce hunger, lower emissions, and create a healthier, fairer society. As we celebrate the holidays, it’s vital to remember that food security isn’t just about what’s on our plates — it’s about creating a sustainable future for all.
