Manchester leads research to find ways to tackle food poverty and waste

University researchers will work with charities to explore how to reduce waste and get food to those who cannot afford it.

The University of Manchester is to work with charities to research ways to tackle food insecurity and reduce food waste in the UK. 

A joint project with FareShare Greater Manchester, Lifeshare, Cracking Good Food, the Rainbow Christian Centre and the Compassion Foodbank will look at how society can reduce waste and get more food to those who cannot afford it. 

The project will look to develop partnerships for fresh food recycling and purchasing in order to increase capacity and reduce costs. It will also explore ways to get food parcels to those that need them and look into providing hands-on cooking training for people who want to learn how to make good, affordable food from scratch, pick up budgeting tips and understand more about healthy eating. There will also be work to train people to become volunteers themselves, helping them to develop their skills by working with the organisations that have helped them.

Dr Kingsley Purdam, a lecturer and expert on food insecurity and foodbanks, will lead the project for the University. His recent research concluded that food insecurity and malnutrition in the UK is a much wider problem than has been recognised and the rapid growth in the number of foodbanks and food donation points in supermarkets suggests a ‘normalisation’ of food aid in the UK.

He said: “This project, working with front line service providers, represents a real opportunity for coordinated action that could make a real difference to the lives of people living in food poverty. The University of Manchester is committed to making a positive difference in the drive to tackle poverty and inequalities”.

Seb Serayet, Development Manager for FareShare in Manchester, said: “We supply hundreds of tonnes of surplus food to over 130 charitable organisations who feed vulnerable people in Greater Manchester. However, giving food does not solve the problem. We need to do more to understand and address the underlying causes of food insecurity and poverty and working with the University and front line partners will help us to achieve this.”

Notes for editors

Dr Kingsley Purdam is available for interview on 07790 343185 or email kingsley.purdam@manchester.ac.uk

FareShare is a food supplier with access to increasing quantities of food industry surplus; Cracking Good Food is an educational partner with enthusiasm for cooking; Lifeshare, Compassion Food Bank and Rainbow Christian Centre all provide emergency food distribution and holistic support services to a wide range of people in need.

Media Enquiries to:

Deborah Linton
Media Relations Officer
Faculty of Humanities
The University of Manchester
Tel: 07789 948 783
Email: deborah.linton@manchester.ac.uk