Making sure no good food goes to waste
Preventing food waste at source should always be the priority, but surpluses can arise for a number of reasons; for example, food incorrectly labelled, over-ordered, over-supplied or obsolete seasonal stock.
170,000 tonnes
2022 showed solid progress with approximately 170,000 tonnes of surplus food being received by redistribution organisations equating to just over 400 million meals with a value of more than £590 million.
Support available
Surplus Food Redistribution Resource Hub
All the information you need to help increase the redistribution of surplus food, in one place.
Resource Action Fund
Funding to support surplus food redistribution has been made available under the Resource Action Fund, financed by Defra and managed by WRAP. In 2020 this support was boosted through the COVID-19 Emergency Surplus Food Grant.
Labelling guidance
The redistribution labelling guide covers date labelling and storage instruction requirements for surplus food, in order for it to be safely redistributed, along with guidance for freezing and relabelling fresh food. The guide outlines simple information across four key food categories that typically carry a ‘Best Before’ date:
Food and Drink Surplus Network
Identifies redistribution organisations who can help, including local organisations and those who can take surplus crops.
Food Waste Reduction Roadmap
Our partnership programme with IGD helps the food and drink sector to 'Target, Measure, Act' on food surplus and waste.