UK surplus food redistribution rises to 210,000 tonnes in 2024. Approximately 210,000 tonnes of surplus food was received by redistribution organisations in the UK in 2024, equivalent to 500 million meals worth around £870 million, according to WRAP. The total is 27 per cent higher than in 2022, continuing a steady upward trend since reporting began in 2015.
Ambient and chilled foods saw the largest growth since 2022, rising by 62 per cent and 42 per cent respectively. Over two thirds of organisations cited increased capacity to store and handle ambient, chilled and frozen foods as a driver. Seventy-six per cent of surplus food went through charitable routes, with the remaining 24 per cent redistributed commercially.
Since WRAP began tracking redistribution in 2015, the cumulative total has reached 990,000 tonnes, worth over £4 billion and equivalent to nearly 2.4 billion meals. The organisation estimates that 110,000 tonnes of post-farm surplus still has potential for redistribution, rising to 470,000 tonnes when on-farm surplus is included.
