New online practical tools available for businesses to aid urgent action and increase the amount of food that is redistributed.

With 16% of adults (one in six people) across England, Wales and Northern Ireland experiencing food insecurity,^[1] IGD is driving positive change on food redistribution with the launch of new online resources to help businesses accelerate the amount of food that is redistributed.

IGD strives to make a positive difference to society by working in partnership with the food and consumer goods industry to address the economic, social and environmental issues that matter to us all. One of those issues is food redistribution. A total of 74,000 tonnes of food surplus was redistributed from across retail and manufacturing in 2020. However, there is an estimated 165,000 tonnes of food surplus available for redistribution annually within these sectors, which is equivalent to 390 million meals^[2] and there is a huge opportunity to take collective action.

IGD has joined forces with Ben Elliot, Food Surplus and Waste Champion for Defra, WRAP, industry and redistributors to create its new resources, which includes the compelling business case for redistribution, advice on how redistribution partners can help businesses tackle food waste and impactful, practical tools to help accelerate redistribution. 

Susan Barratt, IGD CEO, said: “Even the most efficient food businesses generate unsold surplus food. The first priority for any business is to reduce the amount of surplus it generates. For any remaining surplus, there’s an opportunity to redistribute, which covers a range of channels including commercial outlets, charities and community groups. By increasing the amount of food we redistribute, our industry has an enormous opportunity to drive positive change and be a force for good.

“There’s also a compelling business case. We know that reducing food loss and waste is a key opportunity for businesses to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, driving efficient supply chains and reducing waste should be a priority for businesses; it makes financial sense, helps communities, and reduces the impact on the planet.

“With our unique ability to bring together stakeholders from across the whole food and consumer goods system, IGD has worked with our industry and collated feedback to create this new set of online redistribution tools and resources. We hope it is both inspiring and useful in helping your business take action. We need your feedback so we can continue to progress our vital redistribution work and help others to do the same, so please get in touch with us as we continue our redistribution journey.”

Ben Elliot, Government Food Waste Champion, said: “When you consider the love, care and passion that goes into the food we grow, produce, sell and serve – wasting this food is just wrong. Tackling food waste is an opportunity to reduce our impact on the environment, achieve our Net Zero targets and is critical to ensuring our businesses are as competitive as they can be.

“In these unprecedented times, demand for charities and community groups and the services they provide has never been higher. Ensuring all surplus food that is safe for people to eat is made available and redistributed is a key way in which we can support those most in need and ensure good food is put to good use.”

This is the second phase of IGD’s work on redistribution, with a guide for industry launched in May. Feedback from the guide has helped IGD shape this new set of online resources, to make them as useful as possible. 

You and your business can take action now to urgently unlock more food into the redistribution network for those who need it. Use IGD’s resources to help prioritise food surplus redistribution in your business. Share your feedback and examples of what works so that charities and communities can benefit, and together, we can continue to progress this critical issue. Please contact [email protected] to get in touch.

Find out more at igd.com.

ENDS

For media enquiries and interview opportunities please contact Sarah Burns on [email protected] or 07483 094027.

Notes to editors:

• All types of products and ingredients can be redistributed as long as they are safe for human consumption and labelled accordingly. Using insight from industry partners, IGD has identified the following five stages for successfully accelerating food surplus redistribution, with details online bringing each stage to life:

1. Provide leadership and establish governance
2. Identify levels and types of surplus
3. Select redistribution partner(s)
4. Revise processes and policies
5. Embed processes and continually review

1. 16% of adults (one in six people) across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are experiencing food insecurity [Source: https://www.food.gov.uk]
2. 74,000 tonnes of food surplus was redistributed from across retail and manufacturing in 2020, but there is an estimated 165,000 tonnes of food surplus available for redistribution annually within these sectors [source WRAP]
3. IGD is an organisation of two interconnected communities. The profits from Commercial Insight are reinvested into Social Impact, which together work to drive change that makes a tangible difference for society, business and the individual.
4. Social Impact from IGD is delivered in four key areas:
   1. People – focussed on giving young people opportunities to develop their employability and life skills, and on building the knowledge and capability of food and consumer goods industry colleagues, to foster an inclusive and productive workforce;
   2. Health – nutrition experts use the latest research and behavioural science to develop practical tools that help the whole industry. IGD is collaborating with and inspiring companies to adopt best practice and implement change;
   3. Sustainability – focused on mobilising the industry to tackle climate change, reduce food waste, increase food surplus redistribution, develop sustainable packaging systems and accelerate the industry’s progress towards Net Zero;
   4. Economics – supporting better strategic planning and decision making, for the benefit of consumers, through economic analysis and engagement with policy makers.
5. Commercial Insight is delivered through six core areas:
   1. Retail Analysis – providing trusted data and insight, straight from the heart of retail;
   2. ShopperVista – providing insight that creates the foundation for progressive shopper and category thinking;
   3. Events – providing compelling experiences that connect people and ideas together;
   4. MarketTrack – the most trusted, rigorous market read in the retail sector;
   5. Supply Chain Analysis – providing answers and unlocking potential;
   6. Solutions – personalised solutions that address the critical customer and commercial challenges.
6. All content is owned by IGD. If you use or refer to any content in this press release, please credit IGD
7. Follow us on Twitter: @fromIGD