Annual survey of redistribution organisations in the UK: 2024 update

Annual data received by redistribution organisations in the UK indicates that surplus food redistribution continued to rise in 2024. Approximately 210,000 tonnes of surplus food was received by redistribution organisations, equating to 500 million meals, with a value of around £870 million.

Preventing food waste at source should always be the priority, however, redistributing surplus food is one way that businesses can reduce the amount of food that ends up as waste. This also contributes to meeting the UK Food and Drink Pact (UKFDP) food waste target.

WRAP previously reported on the progress in increasing surplus food redistribution between 2015 and 2023.

The results over the years have shown that surplus food redistributed in the UK is steadily increasing, with the 2024 data continuing this trend.

This year’s update demonstrates the outcome of the continued hard work from all involved in the day-to-day redistribution of surplus food, underpinned by grants, such those made available from the Resource Action Fund.

Key findings

• Between 2022 and 2024, redistributed surplus food increased by 45,000 tonnes, a rise of 27%. The increase is equivalent to nearly 110 million meals and corresponds to food worth £180 million.
• More food redistributed across all food storage types, with ambient and chilled foods seeing the highest growth since 2022, at +62% and +42% respectively.
• Organisations highlighted increased capacity to store and handle ambient, chilled and frozen foods as a key factor influencing redistribution; over two-thirds cited it as driving the rise in surplus food redistributed.