The UK’s two biggest food redistribution charities FareShare and The Felix Project, are set to merge in a bid to tackle rising food waste and food insecurity.

The new organisation, which will adopt the Felix name, aims to build a stronger national network capable of rescuing more surplus food, reducing waste and supporting communities at a time when demand is soaring.

Charlotte Hill OBE, currently CEO of The Felix Project, will lead the new organisation, with FareShare CEO Kris Gibbon-Walsh becoming deputy chief executive.

Dominic Blakemore, CEO of Compass Group, will chair the new board of trustees, supported by Felix chair Gavin Darby as vice-chair.

The charities say the merger will combine FareShare’s nationwide reach and partnerships with Felix’s innovation and London expertise, giving the new organisation more influence when campaigning on food waste and insecurity.

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FareShare, with more than 30 years’ experience and a network of 17 regional partners, provided the equivalent of 148m meals in 2024 to 2025.

“This merger will enable us do so much more to tackle food waste at source, whilst we continue to support our brilliant independent network partners through increased food volumes, funding and operational support,” said Fareshare CEO Kris Gibbon-Walsh.

“We will also build on FareShare’s 30-year legacy of connecting good food with communities nationwide.”

Meanwhile, the Felix Project, founded in 2016, supports around 1,200 organisations in London and runs Felix’s Kitchen, which produces 5,000 meals a day.

The two charities have already worked together on successful initiatives, including their award-winning campaign for a £15m surplus food fund.

The merger also follows new data that shows right in ten charities say they are struggling to keep up with requests for food.

Commenting on the move, Sainsbury’s CEO Simon Roberts said the merger created “a stronger, more united organisation” and a “clear route to long-term impact and collaboration” for the food industry.

Tesco’s sustainability chief Christine Heffernan added it would “deliver even greater social impact” at a time when communities were in need.