Chef Tom Kerridge calls on UK government to fund surplus food scheme

The Michelin-starred restaurateur has signed an open letter demanding delivery of 15m to divert produce to food banks and soup kitchens

Chef Tom Kerridge is teaming up with charities to demand delivery of a promised 15m fund to divert fresh but unused food from farms to food banks and soup kitchens across the country.

Repeated promises have been made by former ministers to fund the food waste reduction scheme, which effectively compensates farmers for harvesting, storing and packaging the food that would otherwise head into landfill or animal feed.