Felix reacts to Defra funding announcement

The new funding will be provided to 45 local authorities identified as having the greatest levels of deprivation and childhood obesity. Each local authority will receive £222,000 to develop solutions that meet local needs, putting decision-making and resources directly in the hands of local leaders who know their communities best.

In response to this announcement, Charlotte Hill OBE, CEO of Felix said:

“We welcome this Defra funding announcement. It is a really positive move that will provide much-needed funding to these 45 local authorities, helping them support charities and community groups in their areas and, ultimately, giving residents access to more healthy and affordable food.

Felix is a network of 16 independent partners that work across every region of the UK to deliver food to communities in every postcode. We have partnered with the whole surplus food redistribution sector on the National Programme to Redistribute Surplus Food, led by the government, with the explicit goal of tripling surplus food redistribution in the UK.

This ambitious goal is only achievable if local organisations have the right resources to deliver food and services to their communities, which is why we are so pleased the Secretary of State has announced this funding.

So much good work is already happening in these areas. Felix supplies thousands of groups, such as pantries, lunch clubs and community kitchens, that are working hard to feed people who need it. It’s more than meals: it’s advice, employment and debt support, mental health and wellbeing support, activities, social connection and other practical help.

We know food will not change the drivers of poverty, and we support campaigns for structural economic change. However, this funding will mean more people can access healthier food and, through it, a range of often life-changing organisations and services that provide dignity, connection and hope.

We will do everything we can to work alongside government, councils, community organisations and local people to deliver on this valuable effort.”