All of the proposals in this Manifesto should be easily achievable for the Government. Even in a time of financial constraints, these proposals are not only affordable, but they provide significant return on investment through social, environmental, and economic impact.
Research shows that for every £1 invested in surplus food redistribution via FareShare, nearly £6 is generated in social return on investment for the UK. To realise the benefits, there are key actions that must be taken across the next five years, with some requiring more urgent attention.

In the first 100 days…
- Commit to extending ring-fenced grant support to ensure surplus food from farms can be redistributed to people.
- Design a pilot scheme to test corporate tax amendments encouraging businesses with surplus food to donate it to food redistribution charities.
- Set up a central database to enable mandatory food waste reporting to begin.
- Produce clear legal guidance to support businesses wishing to donate food they cannot sell.
- Expand the rules on apprenticeships to address skills shortages and allow more people to be trained in key roles across the food supply chain.
In the first parliament…
- Pilot a subsidy under the Environmental Land Management Schemes to support farmers who donate surplus food for redistribution and assess the scheme’s suitability for a wider roll-out.
- Begin a programme of work to create an integrated digital platform for the food sector to co-ordinate surplus food redistribution efforts.
- Draw up a national plan of action to tackle the underlying causes of food insecurity, aimed at preventing the need for charitable food aid in the future.
Within a five-year term…
- Support the completion of a portal to enable the food industry and redistribution organisations to use their collective resources in the most effective way.
- Deliver a national food strategy that includes surplus food redistribution amongst efforts to reduce waste and encourages adherence to the food waste hierarchy, with the goal of achieving UN SDG 12.3, and halving food waste throughout the entire food system.