14 August 2024
Daniel Zeichner MP, the Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs, praised FareShare’s commitment to fighting food waste in a visit to FareShare South West’s warehouse in Bristol.
“FareShare’s efforts to stop surplus food going to waste, and getting it to the people who need it most across the UK, is an encouraging glimpse of a more sustainable food sector. ”
Daniel Zeichner MP, Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs
FareShare works with the food industry, including retailers, wholesalers and producers, to redistribute good-to-eat surplus food to over 8,000 charities and community groups across the UK. Many of these groups work tirelessly to support children and their families.
Minister Zeichner met with FareShare CEO George Wright and FareShare South West CEO Lucy Bearn, alongside the volunteers and staff at the warehouse, who help store, package and deliver food that would otherwise go to waste to charities in Bristol and beyond.
Minister Daniel Zeichner said:
“It was a pleasure to visit FareShare South West’s warehouse in Bristol, and see the important work they’re doing to help vulnerable people in communities in the south west.
“FareShare’s efforts to stop surplus food going to waste, and getting it to the people who need it most across the UK, is an encouraging glimpse of a more sustainable food sector.
“But we cannot rely on charity to address food poverty, and I’m proud to be part of a government that is developing an ambitious strategy to reduce poverty and tackle inequality.”
While FareShare works with hundreds of businesses to get more food to people who need it, the equivalent of 7 billion meals worth of food still goes to waste across the food industry every year.
FareShare is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and recently launched its manifesto, “Where’s the Food? Strengthening Communities Through Surplus Food Redistribution.” In it, the charity calls on the new government to make it easier for businesses to donate surplus food.
FareShare’s manifesto sets out plans that, if implemented, would significantly reduce food waste, support communities in need, and foster a more sustainable food system. The manifesto also calls on the government to develop a UK-wide plan to end charitable food aid and address the economic and structural factors behind poverty.
George Wright, CEO at FareShare said: “We’re delighted to welcome Minister Zeichner to FareShare South West and provide him with an opportunity to hear directly from our dedicated volunteers about the crucial work we do to support communities in the South West and across the UK. Despite our efforts, we still witness an alarming amount of perfectly edible food wasted on farms and factories.”
“In recent weeks, Defra has highlighted its commitment to achieving a zero waste Britain and adopting a circular economy.”
“We welcome this vision from the department and were pleased to meet with the Minister, who has steadfastly advocated for a sustainable British food industry. We look forward to collaborating with the new government to transform the issue of food waste into a positive social impact.”
To support FareShare’s manifesto please visit: www.fareshare.org.uk/manifesto
