Farmers donate more than 15,000 meals to London food charity

21 November 2024

Fleet of city harvest vans

Photograph: City Harvest

British farmers have been hailed by a London charity that helps people in food poverty after they donated more than six tonnes of fresh food to the city’s food banks.

Farmers travelling from across the country for the farmer rally in the capital took a mountain of produce to provide more than 15,000 meals for charity City Harvest London.

The charity looks to combat two of London's biggest problems – food waste and food poverty, which leads to malnutrition.

They distribute food that would otherwise be wasted taking produce to grassroots organisations that feed some of the most vulnerable people in the city.

Farmers, including NFU members, opposing government tax changes as a result of the Budget, delivered fresh milk, eggs, cauliflowers, meat and potatoes alongside a vast array of breakfast cereals and canned goods.

Wheelbarrows were filled with produce and farmers headed through the crowds to donate to the charity stand at Richmond Terrace, Whitehall.

6.6 tonnes of food delivered

Farmers from across the country gladly donated following the appeal from NFU members Andrew Ward, Olly Harrison, Martin Williams and farmer Clive Bailye.

In total, 6.6 tonnes of food was delivered and the charity packed seven vehicles to help London families and people in need.

British sugar also donated 1t of sugar to the food bank collection.

Sarah Calcutt, City Harvest CEO, said: “We were honoured to ensure every donation was safely received and handled with as much care as the time and skill spent producing it.”

The charity rescues food from retailers, manufacturers, distributors, events and gives it to organisations such as schools, community centres, food banks, women’s refuges, homeless charities, soup kitchens and refugee centres.


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