As part of the Government’s Plan for Change, delivered via the “Tackling Food Surplus at the Farm Gate” scheme, Defra have announced which food waste organisations have been successful with their applications to receive grant funding. We are delighted to announce that our bid for funding has been awarded, and we are now extending and expanding our pre-farm gate food rescue programme.  

This innovative operation, titled The DARE Project, will rescue healthy, edible, surplus food by Disrupting the current food systems and Avoiding unnecessary food waste.UKHarvest will ensure that more food is collected directly from the growers before it enters the production system and Redistributed through our Community Food Hubs, Grubs Clubs and other partner organisations.  Our Nourish Hub in West London will also benefit, enabling more of our communities to Eat healthy and nutritious food. 

An estimated 330 million tonnes of food is wasted each year before it leaves the farm. This can be due to a range of reasons, from food failing to meet the required retail specification of the distributors, through to the removal of produce to allow remaining crops to thrive. However, this waste has one thing in common. It can still be used, it is still nutritious, and there is no need to waste it. 

By working closely with growers and producers, at no cost to them, we will collect any suitable crops, take them back to our facility, and sort them ready to send out to communities and households who are struggling to access nutritious, fresh fruit and vegetables. 

UKHarvest’s CEO and Founder, Yvonne Thomson has been anticipating this level of food cycle intervention for some time, sharing that ‘UKHarvest are passionate about rescuing as much healthy surplus food as possible and making it accessible to communities in need. The receipt of funding given by Defra, will increase our ability to feed more people delicious food that would have otherwise been wasted. This is a game changer for UKHarvest and we are truly grateful for this opportunity.’ 

All our operations center around reducing food waste and increasing food security across our communities, through food education and creating access to fresh, nutritious food. The DARE Project will enable us to do this. 

Waste Minister Mary Creagh said ‘This Government’s Plan for Change is acting on food poverty and tackling Britain’s throwaway culture, ensuring more good food ends up on plates and not in bins.’  

Get in touch with us if you are a food grower and would like to be part of this exciting and innovative project, taking place in West Sussex info@ukharvest.org.uk or visit our website to find out how you can donate your suplus produce to UKHarvest https://www.ukharvest.org.uk/support-us/donate-food.

Read full details of the project here https://www.gov.uk/government/news/136-million-to-help-families-and-charities-reap-benefits-of-surplus-farm-produce.