Brighton & Hove City Council leader Jason Kitcat on FareShare Feast

FareShare provides over 1 million meals a month to people in poverty and on low incomes across the UK. Their network redistributes surplus food from the food industry to frontline charities working with many different people, including those affected by mental health, domestic violence and social isolation.

I recently attended a FareShare Feast event, which saw a wonderful meal prepared using surplus food.

Under the guidance of local chefs from 64 Degrees, Terre á Terre, Seattle and Boho Gelato, trainee chefs from the City College apprenticeship scheme showed how it’s possible to prepare great food while also being aware of and reducing waste.

Supported by the council, FareShare Brighton & Hove distributes food to 60 local charities, saving them money and ensuring that 3900 local people a week don’t go hungry. In total, a massive 8.75 tonnes of food a week is distributed to projects in Brighton, Hove, Worthing and Lewes.

Shockingly though, this huge amount only represents 2% of our food that’s wasted; the rest is often thrown away or diverted to be burned for energy. The need to reclaim this food for people who need it has never been clearer – particularly as food banks are seeing increasing demand. According to recent Oxfam research, the number of food bank parcels being given out has risen by 54% over a year.

As a society, we must tackle the root causes of food poverty – inequality, low wages and welfare cuts. In the meantime, FareShare and other similar organisations need our help. Whether by dropping off tins of food, volunteering your time or donating money, it will help to make a real difference in the fight against hunger and food waste.

FareShare Brighton & Hove are looking for volunteers to help with a national food drive on 3-5 July, and have a fundraiser event at Komedia on 8 July. For more information visit: www.faresharebrightonandhove.org.uk