A FareShare Feast showed us how we can eat well, stop waste, and help the hungry

FareShare provides more than one million meals a month to people in poverty and on low incomes across the United Kingdom. Its network redistributes surplus food from the food industry to frontline charities working with many different people, including those affected by mental health, domestic violence, and social isolation.

I attended a FareShare Feast event that saw a wonderful meal prepared using surplus food. Under the guidance of local chefs from 64 Degrees, Terre á Terre, Seattle, and Boho Gelato, trainee chefs from the City College apprenticeship scheme showed how it is possible to prepare great food while also being aware of and reducing waste.

Supported by the council, FareShare Brighton and Hove distributes food to 60 local charities, saving them money and ensuring that 3,900 local people a week do not go hungry. In total, a massive 8.75 tonnes of food a week is distributed to projects in Brighton, Hove, Worthing, and Lewes.

Shockingly, though, this huge amount represents only 2% of food that is wasted; the rest is often thrown away or diverted to be burned for energy.

The need to reclaim this food for people who need it has never been clearer - particularly as food banks are seeing increasing demand. According to recent Oxfam research, the number of food bank parcels being given out has risen by 54% over a year.

As a society, we must tackle the root causes of food poverty - inequality, low wages, and welfare cuts. In the meantime, FareShare and other similar organisations need our help. Whether by dropping off some tins of food, volunteering your time or donating some money, it will help to make a real difference in the fight against hunger and food waste.

FareShare Brighton and Hove is looking for volunteers to help with a national food drive on July 3 to 5; it has a fundraiser event at Komedia on July 8.

For more information, visit: www.faresharebrightonandhove.org.uk.