On Monday 11th May, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) launched a Food Charities Grant Fund.

If you run a front-line not-for-profit or charity that provides food, you may be eligible to apply for a grant to support your organisation to provide food those who need it.

Defra encourage you to apply as soon as possible if you are interested in this grant funding.  Please note that eligibility criteria have been refined.  You can find out more and apply here

The grant aims to provide immediate support for a limited period of time to help to feed those most vulnerable due to the economic impacts of Covid-19. This ensures that they can access a continual supply of food in a time of increased demand. This will feed numerous cohorts of economically vulnerable groups including the homeless, the elderly and those in rehabilitation.

Further information

The Food Charity Grant Scheme requires charities (individually or as a consortium with a lead partner) to apply for at least £30,000. This is to target funding to those charities who have the capacity to reach the greatest number of people and to provide good value for money for the tax payer.

For those charities which would be interested in funding below £30,000, the National Lottery Funding is awarding grants from £300 to £10,000 and is prioritising organisations supporting people most likely to face increased demand and challenges as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. For further information, please follow this link

In addition, WRAP are offering financial support to small not-for-profit organisations who can redistribute surplus food from the likes of retailers, wholesalers, and food manufacturers, to people in need or those considered vulnerable. Eligible applicants may apply for grants of between £5,000 and £10,000. For further information, please follow this link