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Britain\u2019s two largest food redistribution charities, FareShare and The Felix Project, announce a major merger to strengthen efforts against food waste and hunger, aiming for a national uplift in food rescue and support for vulnerable communities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The UK\u2019s two largest food redistribution charities, FareShare and The Felix Project, have announced a significant merger aimed at bolstering efforts to combat food insecurity and waste across the country. Operating under The Felix Project’s name, the new entity seeks to become a \u201cbigger and more ambitious organisation with greater national impact,\u201d combining the strengths and reach of both charities to better address the growing needs of vulnerable communities.<\/p>\n
This merger is timely given striking figures from Wrap, which indicate the UK wastes 10.7 million tonnes of food annually, while 14% of households experience food insecurity. Both charities have reported rising demand for their services, with frontline charities struggling to keep up. By merging, the organisation intends to increase food rescue efforts, reduce waste more effectively, and extend support to more people in need.<\/p>\n
FareShare, established 30 years ago, is the UK\u2019s largest national food redistribution charity, supplying rescued surplus food to a network of over 8,000 charities nationwide. In the 2024\/25 period, FareShare provided the equivalent of 148 million meals. The Felix Project, founded in 2016 in memory of Felix Byam Shaw, operates four depots across London and supports approximately 1,200 community organisations. It also runs Felix\u2019s Kitchen, which uses surplus food to prepare around 5,000 meals daily.<\/p>\n
The partnership between the two began in 2020 when The Felix Project started managing FareShare\u2019s London operations, enhancing food redistribution in the capital. However, this extended reach brought challenges, including scarce supplies amid growing demand, highlighting the need for a unified, larger-scale response. Combining FareShare\u2019s extensive national network with Felix Project\u2019s innovative approaches and London expertise aims to create a more coordinated and efficient system.<\/p>\n
Leadership will see Charlotte Hill, who has driven The Felix Project\u2019s recent growth, become CEO of the merged organisation, with FareShare CEO Kris Gibbon-Walsh stepping into the deputy CEO role. Hill articulated a vision of \u201ca nation where no good food is wasted and nobody goes hungry,\u201d stressing that the merger offers an unprecedented opportunity to scale up food provision for the UK\u2019s most vulnerable.<\/p>\n
The industry has welcomed the merger enthusiastically. Tesco\u2019s chief communications and sustainability officer, Christine Heffernan, expressed pride in supporting the new organisation\u2019s goals amidst continued food waste and community need. Sainsbury\u2019s CEO Simon Roberts described it as an \u201cimportant milestone\u201d that will enhance long-term collaboration between the food industry and redistribution charities. The Coronation Food Project, an initiative launched by King Charles to increase surplus food redistribution, also praised the union as a positive move to expand resources and impact.<\/p>\n
The merger is phased, with the new charity gradually adopting The Felix Project\u2019s name and brand while maintaining dual branding during the transition. This structural evolution is expected to strengthen the fight against food waste at source and improve funding, operational support, and food volumes for the independent network of partner charities.<\/p>\n
The collaboration builds on prior industry partnerships supporting food redistribution. For instance, logistics company Fowler Welch teamed with FareShare as early as 2016 to redistribute surplus food, while in 2021 wholesaler Booker joined forces with FareShare and food-sharing app Olio to supply excess food to communities. Innovative campaigns such as Hellmann\u2019s 2020 collaboration with the video game Animal Crossing also reflect growing efforts to engage broader audiences in tackling hunger.<\/p>\n
Overall, this merger represents a strategic consolidation in the food charity sector, reflecting an urgent need to respond more effectively to widespread food waste and hunger in the UK through stronger partnerships and unified operations.<\/p>\n