In 2021, WRAP estimated that 10.7 million tonnes of food were wasted in the UK, with farms accounting for the second largest share, contributing 15% of the total.
Recognising that food waste also contributes to climate change and environmental degradation, NFYFC’s YFC AGRI group is eager to explore further actions to reduce it. NFYFC spoke to YFC AGRI Chair Luke Cox about the issues and how YFC members can help.
Our goal is to encourage collaboration with organisations already addressing food waste and to raise awareness of these efforts among YFC members.
Earlier this year we invited the Felix Project to an YFC AGRI meeting where they spoke about the work of the charity.
The Felix Project rescues good, surplus food from the food industry that cannot be sold and would otherwise go to waste. This includes a high proportion of fresh fruit and vegetables, baked goods, salads, meat and fish.
The project collects or receives food from over 539 suppliers, including supermarkets, wholesalers, farms, restaurants and delis. This is then sorted and then delivered to almost 1000 front-line charities, primary schools and holiday programmes in London. Food that would have gone to waste is reaching vulnerable people, those who are homeless, people with mental health difficulties or those who simply cannot afford to buy regular, healthy food.
The Food Foundation estimates that more than 10 million people in the UK don’t get enough food to eat each year. And yet, more than millions of tonnes of food goes to waste every year.
Gathering and redistributing surplus food, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, is one of the core goals of FareShare and other charity groups. But they say not enough of it is getting into the hands of those who need it.
A recent survey from FareShare and Yougov shows the potential impacts of both the cost of healthy food and the lack of access to it. Around 30% of parents across the UK say they are purchasing less fruit than they did in 2023. This despite 90% saying they understand the importance of it in their diets. (Source: Produce Business report August 9, 2024)
Find out as much as you can about the charities and organisations that help mitigate food waste and collaborate where and when you can.
Your club could volunteer with the Felix Project on a Farm Rescue Day to help pull leeks, pick apples or collect pumpkins.
You could also get an insight to how the charity feeds the hungry in London by volunteering at one of the depots, sorting and packing food or co-driving and delivering to some of the charities.
If you’re a farmer and want to ensure your surplus food isn’t wasted, you can also contact The Felix Project about organising collections.
More information is available at The Felix Project and also Fare Share.
