Annual Survey of Redistribution Organisations in the UK
2023 updateOctober 2024Introduction
The results of this year’s survey show that in 2023 the annual amount of surplus food available for redistribution in the UK continued to increase. This demonstrates the continuing hard work and dedication of all those involved to facilitate redistribution on a daily basis. WRAP would like to see the continuation of this trend and will keep working with the redistribution sector and representatives of the businesses providing surplus food for redistribution to maximise the amount of surplus food made available for the redistribution network in the UK.
WRAP's work in this area
This data visualisation contains the key findings from our most recent survey (2023 data)
Figures may differ to those published in the 2022 update. This is due to a minor update made to some of the 2022 data following publication.
All data presented quantify the amount of surplus food received by redistribution organisations, not the amount such organisations have sent for redistribution.*
*Please note the results in this document are likely to slightly underestimate total UK redistribution. Please see the methodology and data sheet, section 2.0 Method, for more information.
2023 summary
The figures below are according to data from all 12 survey respondents:
Since 2022, there has been an increase of 15% (around 25,000 additional tonnes compared to 2022), an equivalent of nearly 60 million meals, which corresponds to food worth £100 million
* Meals figure is based on the assumption of an average meal weighing 420g (based on the average of a range of typical meal weights, using data derived from Food Portion Sizes, FSA 2008). This does not imply that this many balanced meals could be made from the food surplus but illustrates what the amount of food surplus might equate to. See Reporting on the amounts of food surplus redistributed (weight and meal equivalents; WRAP guidance)
Redistribution Channels in 2023
% of food redistributed via Commercial and Charitable
channels
Sources and types
Food Sectors
The graph below shows the tonnages of food diverted to redistribution by each food sector in 2022 and 2023
Storage Types
The graph below shows the storage types of food received for redistribution in 2022 and 2023
*Other refers to any food product that does not fit into the seven main product categories This may include, but is not limited to, foods such as pasta, rice, cereals, canned goods, legumes, grains, sauces, condiments, tea, and coffee. ** The Unknown category is used by redistribution organisations when the tonnage of surplus food is known, but the product type cannot be confirmed.
Progress over the years
* Meals figures are based on the assumption of an average meal weighing 420g (based on the average of a range of typical meal weights, using data derived from Food Portion Sizes, FSA 2008). This does not imply that this many balanced meals could be made from the food surplus but illustrates what the amount of food surplus might equate to. See Reporting on the amounts of food surplus redistributed (weight and meal equivalents; WRAP guidance)
2021 to 2023 tonnages
The chart below shows the total tonnes of surplus food redistributed between 2021 and 2023 for 9 organisations who submitted tonnage data each year across this period:
Redistribution channels since 2015
The chart below shows the percentage of food redistributed by charitable and commercial channels for all survey data collected in the period between 2015 and 2023
What respondents are saying*
92% of respondents (11 respondents) say demand for surplus food has risen while 8% (1 respondent) reported there hadn't been a noticeable change in demand
83% of respondents (10 respondents) stated that their organisation had redistributed more surplus food in 2023 than in 2022
*according to data from all 12 survey respondents
Summary
These results show the continued progress in increasing the amount of surplus food redistributed across the UK.
However there is still work to be done to find ways of reaching the surplus food that might be suitable for redistribution, post farm gate this could be as much as 130,000 tonnes a year*
The latest trends highlight that the amount of surplus food redistributed via both charitable and commercial channels has continued to rise.
The retail sector remains the largest source of food received for redistribution in 2023, followed by manufacture, however the Hospitality and Food Service sector has also continued to grow over the past three years.
Redistribution organisations have again highlighted the increased capacity to store and handle a wider range of food (including ambient, chilled, and frozen foods) as having an important influence across the redistribution landscape and is a key driver to increasing the amount of surplus food redistributed.
On an on-going basis WRAP will:
- Continue to monitor and report progress
- Help to share learnings and practical guidance
- Convene the sector to facilitate collaboration and increase impact
*see Section 4.0 Conclusions of the methodology and data sheet for details about this figure
Take action
Data and Methodology sheet
View the methodology and data sheet for the survey
Food Waste Reduction Roadmap
Find out about how your business can take action on food waste
Surplus Food Redistribution
Surplus Food Redistribution Labelling guidance
Receive the latest news and developments
©2024 WRAP – Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy
The Waste and Resources Action Programme (which operates as WRAP) is a registered UK Charity No. 1159512. Registered office at Second Floor, Blenheim Court, 19 George Street, Banbury, Oxon, OX16 5BH. WRAP is an EU registered trade mark. Our terms and conditions include details of this and of WRAP’s other registered trade marks.