03.04.20
Food redistribution to benefit from £3m cash support
The Government has announced a £3.25m fund to support organisations redistributing food across England during the coronavirus outbreak.
The funding will be used to help redistribute up to 14,000 tonnes of surplus stock and minimise food waste during this crisis.
Logistical barriers with obtaining, storing and transporting food safely from restaurants that have had to cease operations will be eased with this funding as well as supporting volunteers who are working to cut down on food supply waste.
Food redistribution business and charities are being urged to bids for grants throughout April, as well as those affected by social distancing measures unable to rely on their commercial support network.
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said:
“I am proud of the many organisations across the UK working to ensure food and supplies are provided to those who need it most need during this challenging time.
“This funding will support people in need while ensuring that we minimise the amount of food which goes to waste – benefiting both society and the environment.”
It comes less than a week after the Government announced additional support in getting food parcels to vulnerable people shielding themselves for the virus. The first parcels, which contain essential food such as potatoes, tinned goods and food, were delivered last weekend (Sun 29).
The parcels are for the most vulnerable in society with underlying health conditions or those ‘shielding’ from the virus and unable to get to the shop.
The grant, funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, will be managed by not-for-profit organisation, WRAP, who are working closely with government, businesses and redistribution organisations to keep food waste down.