Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to renew or extend the £15 million surplus food redistribution fund supporting the diversion of surplus produce from farms to community food projects.
The farm surplus fund was a standalone one-year programme of funding that completed at the end of March 2026. Through the £13.5 million capital funding provided, the scheme supported recipients in building their capacity and capability for farm surplus redistribution sustainably, for example by funding essential equipment such as fridges and vans. The funding will continue to provide value for years to come through the continued use of the assets.
An independent evaluation is currently underway to assess the scheme’s impact and value for money. This will feed into any future decision making around such grant schemes.