NFU Fellowship Scheme ends with food redistribution visit
Left: Brian Mathew MP, Fred Self, John Milne MP, Josh Fenton-Glynn MP, Jonathan Wallcroft and Emma White. Right: Brian Mathew MP and Josh Fenton-Glynn MP
The final visit of the NFU’s Food and Farming Fellowship Scheme gave MPs a first-hand look at how farmers, food businesses and charities work together to reduce food waste and support vulnerable communities.
In the final visit of the NFU’s Food and Farming Fellowship Scheme, MPs from across the political spectrum visited Felix in North London to see first-hand how surplus food gets from farm gate to communities in need.
The scheme, launched last year in partnership with sponsoring organisations ABP UK, AIC (Agricultural Industries Confederation), Arla Foods, Barfoots, the BEIC (British Egg Industry Council) and FareShare, showcases the industry and enables participating MPs to see first-hand how sustainable and affordable food gets from field to fork.
Partnership in action
Joining the visit was Rebbeca Paul, MP for Reigate, Josh Fenton-Glynn, MP for Calder Valley, Brian Mathew, MP for Melksham and Devizes and John Milne, MP for Horsham.
The group heard about the merger between the Felix Project and FareShare aimed at strengthening their combined efforts in fighting hunger and reducing food waste across the UK.
Seeing it first-hand
1/3 of all edible food was estimated as going to waste which was equivalent to over a billion meals’ worth of good quality surplus food.
MPs were given the opportunity to see both the successes and challenges of distributing surplus food with a tour from warehouse staff and even took part in a shift packing up food ready to go out to vulnerable communities and households.
The group heard from Deputy Chief Executive, Kris Gibbon-Walsh about the importance of the relationship between farmers and the charities like Felix and their pledge to triple food redistribution across the UK over the next decade.
