There is a discrepancy between the amount of surplus food produced in Kent and the growing number of vulnerable people unable to put a healthy meal on the table in our county. Apart from the social cost, there is an economic cost (storing/processing waste costs money), environmental cost (food waste is transported around the country or abroad, ends up in landfill) and legal cost (non-compliance with incumbent food waste legislation will result in a fine) to food waste. We are providing an online B2B solution for suppliers of surplus food across the food chain – growers, producers, retail and hospitality, as well as charities dealing with surplus in donated food items – operating in urban and rural areas in Kent. By introducing them to a comprehensive list of businesses, charities and community initiatives able to upcycle and/or redistribute surplus food, we maximise the amount that is repurposed and minimise the amount that ends up in the AD or landfill.

What we'll deliver:

• We build a community of businesses, charities and community initiatives dedicated to handle food waste more responsibly
• We help those in need get access to better and healthier food
• We collect data that make the problem of food waste visible and show how we are addressing it

Why it's a great idea:

• Everyone wins: - suppliers get rid of their surplus food in a responsible (makes them stand out from other businesses) and timely way - community initiatives gain access to more suppliers and more fresh produce - vulnerable groups have access to better, healthier food - waste recycling plants receive the end -of-the-chain surplus. • The redistribution of surplus food is fairer, more efficient and quicker. • The app helps towards a green recovery of our local economy: - supporting shorter supply chains and reducing our communal carbon footprint. - Less food waste ends up in landfill • The data collected by the app helps us to better understand the problem of food waste in Kent and shows how we are addressing it.

Steps to get it done:

• start pilot project 1 July 2021
• 600 registered businesses, charities and community initiatives 1 August 2021
• Baseline study on food waste handling published August 2021 - set targets for end pilot
• First data report on food waste redistributed January 2021

Through the crowdfunding campaign we are hoping to build a community of Food Loop champions - donors with a vested interest in the app who donate £500 or more. In exchange for their generous contribution, champions receive: • Life-long free usage of the Food Loop app • A Food Loop Champion logo to be used on marketing material • Mention on all Food Loop-related promotion material and output in the run-up to the start of, and during, the pilot phase • An invitation to our Food Loop launch event at The Gastronomist (Ashford) at a date TBC