UK Food Sector Could Redistribute 1 Billion Meals Annually
Why this is here: The report quantifies the potential impact of waste reduction with a specific figure—one billion meals—demonstrating a tangible connection between manufacturing practices and food insecurity.
UK food and drink manufacturers could redistribute one billion additional meals each year. New research from Newton consultancy, The Felix Project, and FareShare details potential improvements. The report, titled “The Waste Equation,” identifies waste during preparation, operations, quality control, and planning as key areas for improvement.
Approximately 550,000 tonnes of the 18.5 million tonnes of UK-manufactured food and drink is wasted annually. The report found 23% of this waste, or 128,000 tonnes, could be prevented, saving manufacturers an estimated £326 million. Recovering an additional 89,000 tonnes of surplus could benefit frontline charities.
Reinvesting those savings could generate 657 million more meals. The report urges collaboration across the supply chain. Charlotte Hill of The Felix Project and FareShare called on the UK Government to incentivize food donation over lower-value disposal.