Deadline for applications has been extended to 27 March 2025
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.
