FareShare Sussex and Surrey is calling for support as part of Earth Raise, a national matched fundraising appeal, as it continues to help people facing hunger while reducing food waste and carbon emissions.
Launching on World Earth Day (April 22), money raised through Earth Raise will support the charity in its mission to tackle two of the UK’s biggest challenges – food waste and food poverty – head-on, ensuring people do not have to choose between supporting the planet or those in need. As part of Earth Raise, the charity’s campaign, ‘Because wasting food costs the earth’, highlights a stark reality: the UK’s food system is broken. According to FareShare Sussex and Surrey, 4.6 million tonnes of edible food – equivalent to 10 billion meals – are wasted every year, while 14.1 million people are living in food poverty.
At the same time, according to the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change, the food system is responsible for a third of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, accelerating climate breakdown.
Dan Slatter, CEO at FareShare Sussex & Surrey, said: “Enough is enough. Every year, millions of tonnes of edible food go to waste while people struggle to afford food. Climate breakdown and hunger are deeply connected.
“The cost of living is rising again, emissions are increasing, and more people are going hungry. This appeal will help us rescue more surplus food, cut emissions and support people in need at the same time.
“We don’t accept a system where good food is wasted while communities struggle. We’re proving there’s a better way, one that supports both people and the planet.”
Earth Raise, part of The Big Give, runs from April 22-29 2026. For this week only, all public donations will be matched pound for pound. Funds raised through the campaign will enable FareShare Sussex & Surrey to rescue more surplus food, expand redistribution, and divert more inedible waste to community composting – supporting a more circular food system. It will also help drive further investment in low-carbon operations, including increased use of electric vehicles.
Nathan Catt, Head of Operations, said: “Food waste is one of the most carbon-intensive parts of our national food system, releasing methane that is far more harmful than carbon dioxide. By rescuing surplus food and getting it to people instead of landfill, we prevent emissions before they happen and reduce the need for more food production.
“For every tonne of carbon we emit, we prevent eight more, making our work strongly net-positive for the climate. Put simply, this is climate action with immediate human benefit: getting food to where it was always meant to go — people, not landfill.”
Since 2002, FareShare Sussex & Surrey has rescued high-quality surplus food from across the supply chain, working with farmers, manufacturers and retailers, and redistributed it to frontline charities and community groups.
Today, the organisation supports 248 community partners, helping provide food for more than 28,500 people every week.
CEO Dan Slatter added: “Wasting food costs the earth, but together we can change that. With climate pressures and household budgets both under strain, the need for action has never been greater. Every donation helps turn surplus into meals, reduce emissions and build stronger communities.”
Siân Berry, Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: “In the current climate emergency, wasting food makes no sense. Reducing the amount of food sent to landfill and getting it to people in need is essential for both the planet and our communities in Brighton.
“The work FareShare Sussex & Surrey continues to do is climate action in practice. If you are able to, I would encourage you to donate now during their Big Give Earth Raise campaign.”
From April 22-29, donations can be made via the Earth Raise appeal for FareShare Sussex & Surrey via this link: https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS00000BsJddYAF
For more information, please visit: www.faresharesussexandsurrey.org.uk
