Charities and community organisations struggling to keep up with increasing demand – research

Food rescue charity Felix claims more 80 per cent of the organisations it supplies would be at risk of providing vital support services were it not for the redistributed surplus food they receive.

Felix – the new name for merged charities FareShare and The Felix Project - has also found that over half of the organisations it provides food to nationwide have seen an increase in demand in the last year.

A survey of more than 2,700 UK charities has found that without that rescued food, 32 per cent would have to close their food support and a further 52 per cent would need to scale back their offer because they could not otherwise afford the food they need to support those most vulnerable in their communities.

Most of these local charities provide wraparound services such as employment support, financial and legal advice, or other activities and care.

With the Iran conflict leading to food and fuel price increases and more people facing food insecurity, these services are vital.

Here in the Midlands, FareShare Midlands is the largest network partner of Felix. Based in Birmingham, it redistributes quality surplus food to 650 charities and community groups.

Last year, FareShare Midlands prevented over 11 million meals of surplus food from being wasted and that food helped to feed over 60,000 people across the region every single week.

FareShare Midlands is one of Felix’s 16 independent regional partners, working with the UK food industry including retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and farmers to rescue good quality surplus food that otherwise be wasted and get it to where it’s needed most.

Last year, this network of partners helped provide the equivalent of 148 million meals, offering a reliable source of nutritious surplus products to ensure sustainability of community food support services.

Pressure on these services is continuing to grow and it is hoped that the new charity, born out of two major food redistribution organisations, will help unlock more food, reduce food waste and power support for communities into the future.

Simone Connolly, CEO of FareShare Midlands, said: “Across our region, we know that people are really struggling, with the impact of food and fuel price increases.

“In the Midlands we also have an unemployment crisis, particularly affecting young people. Working in partnership with Felix, our focus will be on doing even more to ensure that good food gets to people who need it instead of being wasted.

“FareShare Midlands, which has been established for over 18 years, is proud to be part of the network collectively responsible for reaching over a million people every year. By working together, we support those facing hardship, strengthening the most deprived communities across the Midlands.”

Charlotte Hill OBE, CEO of Felix said: “The current situation is a perfect storm. Food inflation means more people simply can’t afford to feed themselves and their families and have no choice but to turn to a charity.

“At the same time the charity sector is seeing higher costs and reduced donations. That’s why The Felix Project and FareShare have come together to form a bigger more ambitious organisation, Felix.

“Separately both charities achieved amazing things but united we are stronger and have a much more powerful voice. 

“Thanks to our network partners, Felix will be working at the heart of communities across the UK to ensure we can rescue more food and feed even more people.”

Visit the website for more information and to donate.

Pictured: Volunteers of Fareshare