FDBusiness.com

UK retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, charities and other industry bodies have joined forces to explore and support ways to increase the amount of surplus food made available for delivery to those in need, building on the good work already being undertaken. The new industry working group met recently for the first time to discuss the current systems, and assess possible solutions that could increase the UK’s food redistribution, in order to start building a plan of action.

Andy Dawe, Head of Food and Drink at WRAP and Chair of the industry working group, says: “Preventing waste arising not only saves money in tough economic times but also provides environmental savings.  Where there is a surplus of food it is important to make sure it’s being used in the best possible way.  The cost of food is rising, and this means that some of the most vulnerable groups in society sometimes struggle to afford food. Increasing food redistribution will help the poorest in society and prevent perfectly good food from going to waste, along with all that went into making it.”

He adds: “By tackling this with key players across the supply chain we can collectively discover what works and what doesn’t to find the best solutions that we hope will lead to increased redistribution.”

Progress from the group will be provided later in the year.