Feeding Communities: Using surplus food to empower communities
In the UK, 8.4 million people struggle to afford to eat. The chronic stress associated with this can affect relationships, the ability to make decisions and can contribute to social isolation. This makes communities and individuals less resilient to the shocks associated with limited food choices.
Despite this,1.9 million tonnes of food is wasted in the UK annually, of which a good proportion is still edible. By better understanding how to redistribute surplus food from across the supply chain to consumers, and adopting a new approach to food insecurity, we can combat food waste and build more resilient communities.
Dr Megan Blake, a Researcher at the University of Sheffield’s Department of Geography, works with a network of surplus food redistribution charities, including FareShare and Community Shop. The aim is to improve how food is distributed to maximise its social good and change community-based approaches to the problems of food insecurity.
Download the Feeding Communities report (PDF, 3.9MB)
Further information
The University of Sheffield, Megan Blake
Webinar: Building a Sustainable Community Response to Food Insecurity
For further information contact:
Sophie Armour
Media Relations Officer
University of Sheffield
0114 222 3687
sophie.armour@sheffield.ac.uk