Food redistribution organisations in England to receive £4m in aid
Thanks to the COVID-19 Emergency Surplus Food Grant, announced earlier today (10 June), 89 non-profit organisations across England will receive much-needed assistance under the first wave of funding.
The grant was launched in early April in response to the immediate challenges faced by food redistributors as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
With an initial fund of £3.25 million, an additional £1.6 million from the Government was added on in May; taking the total to nearly £5 million.
Included in the first wave of recipients are small and medium-sized non-profit organisations, as well as some of the UK's largest redistribution charities.
The funding will be allocated under a three-phase structure to ensure as many organisations as possible receive the right support at the right time, and according to their scale of operation.
The grants were organised by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) - a British registered charity that works with businesses, individuals and communities to achieve a circular economy.
Director of WRAP Peter Maddox, said" "I am absolutely delighted that we have been entrusted by DEFRA to deliver this much-needed grant scheme, and that we've been able to help so many organisations in such a short space of time".
Since the onset of the pandemic, the outreach by various charities across the UK has highlighted how vital this sort of support is.
The financial aid will come as a massive relief for the smaller grassroots charities that operate with much fewer resources and staff.
Ben Elliot, Food Waste Champion, said: "These grants will champion and empower critical organisations as they work tirelessly to divert food across England - not only preventing tonnes of food from perishing but also supporting local communities during this unprecedented time".
The coronavirus outbreak has indeed shone a beacon on the value of our food, and how more than ever we must ensure good food does not go to waste.
Comments