337: How cutting food waste is hitting food banks

<div>In the UK today there are millions of people going hungry, including <a href="https://foodmatterslive.com/article/quarter-of-million-children-london-experience-food-insecurity-report/">an estimated two million children</a>.<br> <br> It is hard to believe in a rich and resourceful country like the UK where there is, of course, more than enough food to go round. It is just not in the right place.<br> <br> And that is where FareShare UK comes in. <a href="https://fareshare.org.uk/">FareShare is a national network of charitable food redistributors</a>, who take surplus and <a href="https://foodmatterslive.com/article/top-30-food-waste-innovation-companies-ecr-retail-loss/">waste food</a> from the food industry and get it to frontline charities and community groups.<br> <br> However, this system is under severe stress. <br> <br> As the retailers and food producers are becoming more sustainable and managing to reduce food waste, donations to food charities have been reducing.    <br> <br> To compound that, <a href="https://foodmatterslive.com/article/inflation-september-2022-food-prices-42-year-high/">the cost of living crisis</a> is having a major detrimental effect on the food charities themselves.<br> <br> So, is the food still getting to where it needs to go? And can the food industry do more to help?<br> <br> <strong>Carl Hawkes, Head of Network Support, FareShare UK<br> </strong><br> Carl Hawkes is a<strong> </strong>multi award-winning third sector leader who is passionate about creating opportunities for all. <br> <br> Currently the Head of Network Support at <a href="https://fareshare.org.uk/">FareShare UK</a>, Carl manages the distribution of FareShare’s food and also leads FareShare UK’s Employability Services and Community Development Team. <br> <br> Over the past 8 years, Carl has managed over £65 million worth of grants supporting those most in need. <br> <br> Carl is a regular guest lecturer at <a href="https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/">Leeds Beckett University</a>, lecturing the Food Nutrition stude