This week’s Goodness Issue highlights the UK food industry’s extraordinary potential to drive social impact. From youth employment to tackling hunger and reducing food waste, the message is clear: the industry not only provides great food and drink across the UK, it can transform lives, strengthen communities, and open up opportunities for young people amid poverty and worsening youth unemployment.
The merger of FareShare and The Felix Project shows what collaboration can achieve. Together, we support 1.5 million people each week via thousands of charities. Yet the sector still redirects only around 1% of the UK’s edible surplus to people. The opportunity to do more is enormous.
There are so many examples of industry-led social impact this week: Iceland is expanding its prison training academies; Tony’s Chocolonely has urged chocolate brands not to lower prices as cocoa costs come down; Pact Coffee is sourcing its core range exclusively from women growers; Dash has donated 22,000 cans to help convenience retailers support community initiatives. There are many more online. All these stories show how social purpose is increasingly embedded into commercial strategy.
Strong leadership and partnership are as vital as investment. And the Charity Power List highlights hidden change agents, from progressive philanthropists to frontline charities and advocacy groups. Their partnerships with the food and drink industry demonstrate how collaboration multiplies impact, enabling organisations to reach more people, influence policy, and scale effective programmes.
Working in this fast-paced industry is a privilege. Ensuring young people can overcome barriers to employment and access meaningful careers can change lives.
But industry and charity cannot do it alone. Government must match this ambition, removing structural barriers and backing action on surplus redistribution, youth employment, and skills development. With joined-up policy and sustained support, the food system can deliver lasting social good.
Kris Gibbon-Walsh, CEO of FareShare and guest editor of The Grocer
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