UK Military Set to Donate Unused Ration Packs to Charities
25 January 2019 at 4:19 pm
The UK military will donate thousands of unused ration packs to charities as part of a plan to reduce food waste and help community groups save on food bills.
The Ministry of Defence announced it would give operational ration packs to FareShare – a charity that distributes food to nearly 10,000 UK charities – to provide food for homeless hostels, the elderly, and other vulnerable people.
Minister for Defence, People and Veterans Tobias Ellwood said these ration packs were usually used to provide nutritionally balanced meals to the UK’s armed forces on operations around the world.
“But charity begins at home, and I’m pleased our partnership with FareShare will make sure no food goes to waste,” Ellwood said.
“FareShare does a fantastic job redistributing food across the country and I’m proud the military can support communities in this way.”
The government said the ration packs provide 4,000 calories, enough to sustain 10 soldiers for a 24-hour period. They include items such as porridge, sausages, baked beans, pasta and rice, as well as a number of hot and cold drinks.
The military uses around 2 million ration packs every year. This latest scheme ensures that when a batch of ration packs can’t be used, they will be given to those in need, so no good food goes to waste.
Not only does the scheme aim to reduce food waste, it is also expected to help recipient charities save on food bills so they can re-invest money into essential support programs.
Roger West, director of the Logistic Delivery Operating Centre at Defence Equipment and Support, said he was delighted to be able to provide support for this important issue.
“This solution will deliver food products where they are needed while also minimising waste. Our corporate social responsibility is important to us and we continue to explore ways to do more; this is the right thing to do,” West said.
