FareShare Cymru’s manifesto for the 2026 Senedd Elections
Harnessing the power of surplus food to strengthen communities and protect the planet.
FareShare Cymru redistributes good-to-eat surplus food to more than 250 charities and community organisations across Wales, turning waste into opportunity. Every day, we see the difference food makes — helping people through crisis, supporting healthier lives, and bringing communities together.
Our manifesto for the 2026 Senedd elections sets out the action the next Welsh Government can take to reduce food waste, tackle poverty and food insecurity, and help build healthier, more resilient communities across Wales.
“We see the difference food makes in communities every day — bringing people together, creating opportunities, changing lives.”
Sarah Germain, CEO, FareShare Cymru
Kris Gibbon-Walsh, CEO, FareShare
What We’re Calling For
Our Key Asks to the Next Welsh Government
Fight Food Waste
Wales has ambitious targets to reduce food waste, but meeting them will require action across the whole food system. The next Welsh Government should:
- Take a whole-supply-chain approach to meeting food waste reduction targets
- Continue and embed the Surplus with Purpose Cymru scheme to unlock more surplus food
- Ensure surplus food redistribution is embedded in Wales’ food and circular economy strategies
- Require transparent reporting of food surplus and waste
- Clarify legal protections to give businesses confidence to donate surplus food
Build Stronger Communities
Surplus food redistribution plays an important role, but it cannot replace action on the causes of poverty. We are calling for:
- Action to boost household incomes through fair work and social security
- Crisis food support that is delivered with dignity
- Support for FareBoost, our employability programme, and exploration of how it can be expanded
- Continued support for FareShare Cymru and partnership with councils to sustain Wales’ community food sector
Why This Matters
Food waste is an environmental and social emergency
Food waste drives climate change and deepens inequality. In Wales:
- Up to one in five adults experiences food insecurity
- Thousands of tonnes of good-to-eat food are wasted every year
- Stronger redistribution support could save 7,000 tonnes of food annually — enough to provide 16 million meals
Redirecting surplus food to people who need it most protects the planet while supporting communities.
The impact of FareShare Cymru
Last year, FareShare Cymru:
- Redistributed over 3 million meals
- Supported more than 250 charities and community groups
- Delivered an impact equivalent to £3.7 million in food costs saved
Our partners do far more than provide food — offering financial advice, skills, childcare, and community connection that help people move forward.
Our Vision for Wales
We believe in a Wales where:
- No good food goes to waste
- Everyone can access nutritious food with dignity
- Community organisations are supported to thrive
- Skills, jobs and opportunities grow in a greener, fairer economy
With the right policies, surplus food can help create a healthier, more sustainable Wales for current and future generations.
About FareShare Cymru
FareShare Cymru is Wales’ leading food redistribution charity, working to ensure no good food goes to waste. As part of the UK-wide FareShare network, we support hundreds of charities and community groups to strengthen communities and change lives.
Learn more about FareShare Cymru →
Contact
For media or policy enquiries:
Sarah Germain
CEO, FareShare Cymru
sarah@fareshare.cymru