Food poverty charity FareShare South West’s commitment to fighting waste has been welcomed by farming minister Daniel Zeichner on a visit to its warehouse in Bristol.
FareShare South West works with the food industry, including retailers, wholesalers and producers, to redistribute good-to-eat surplus food to more than 400 charities and community groups across the region – many of them working tirelessly to support children and their families. 
Established in 2007, FareShare South West describes itself as “joining the dots between food waste and hunger, turning an environmental problem into lasting social good” in a region that stretches from Gloucester to Cornwall.
During its 2023-24 financial year, FareShare nationally redistributed the equivalent of 134m-plus meals – four every second – with the 56,000 tonnes of food redistributed preventing 100,000 tonnes of COe2 going to waste.
The minister met FareShare CEO George Wright at the St Jude’s warehouse, along with some of the volunteers and staff who help store, package and deliver food that would otherwise go to waste to charities around and beyond Bristol.
Daniel Zeichner, pictured, left, with George Wright, 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 UK-wide to get more food to people who need it, the equivalent of 7bn meals worth of food still goes to waste across the food industry every year.
The charity, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, recently launched a manifesto calling on the new government to make it easier for businesses to donate surplus food.
This would not only significantly reduce food waste and support communities in need but also foster a more sustainable food system.
In addition, the manifesto urges the government to develop a UK-wide plan to end charitable food aid and address the economic and structural factors behind poverty.
FareShare CEO George Wright said the charity had been delighted to provide an opportunity for the minister to hear directly from its dedicated volunteers about the crucial work it does 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,” he added.
“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 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, visit: www.fareshare.org.uk/manifesto
