DEFRA Food Surplus Fund

Just as Tesco PLC has made public its decision to trial giving expiring food to customers for free at the end of the day as it tries to cut food waste (see BBC article HERE), the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has just announced that food redistribution charities now how longer to submit an application for its new £15 million Government scheme, which is helping to ensure surplus food is delivered to those who need it.  

The Tackling Food Surplus at the Farm Gate scheme is aimed at strengthening links between farms and charities to help solve the problem of food surplus on farms, with grants starting from £20,000 to help organisations fight hunger in communities.

Applicants are required to contribute matched funding of up to 20% of the cost of their project. The level of matched funding requested by Defra is likely to depend on the size of the applying organisation.

Registered charities can submit bids outlining how they intend to form relationships with farmers in England to access any surplus food, and how they would seek to increase their capacity to redistribute this food to communities.  

The fund is open (registration is required before details can be accessed) to food redistribution charities and any groups with an interest are encouraged to apply. Projects must be delivered between Wednesday 14th May 2025 and Tuesday 31st March 2026.

The funding can go towards purchasing new packaging and labelling equipment and vehicles to move goods from farms to a redistribution organisation, as well as new equipment, like fridges or freezers, to safely store food and ensure it lasts longer.  

Further information is available on the GOV.UK website and on the Defra e-Commercial system, where registration is required before details of current opportunities, including the Tackling Food Surplus at the Farm Gate scheme will be revealed.

Defra’s phone number is 03459 33 55 77.