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Anyone who has followed the public life of King Charles III knows that environmental stewardship has always been one of his greatest passions. Long before taking the throne, he championed organic farming, spoke forcefully about climate change, and emphasized the importance of protecting natural resources. The Coronation Food Project is not a sudden spark of interest; it is the culmination of decades spent raising awareness and encouraging sustainable behavior. Now, early in his reign, that lifelong philosophy has crystallized into a national effort with real impact.
The project targets two urgent issues: the enormous amount of edible food thrown away every day in the UK, and the rising number of households struggling to afford meals. By tackling food waste and food poverty at the same time, the initiative addresses two problems that are usually treated separately, even though they are closely connected.
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On November 19th, the royal family and the King Charles Fund shared an important update, marking two years since the groundwork for the project began. Although the official launch came in 2023, the ideas, planning, and partnerships that make the project so effective were already in motion long before then.
Connecting Surplus to Need
The genius of the Coronation Food Project lies in its understanding of the large gap between the nation’s food surplus and the communities in need. Perfectly good food often ends up in landfills because of minor labeling issues, supply chain delays, or aesthetic imperfections. At the same time, demand for food aid has reached unprecedented levels.
To bridge this divide, the project built a nationwide alliance with organizations that already excel in food rescue and distribution. Three major partners form the backbone of this effort: FareShare UK, the Felix Project, and the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD). Each contributes its strengths to the King’s vision.
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FareShare UK, the largest hunger-relief charity in the country, specializes in redirecting surplus food from manufacturers and retailers to thousands of local charities. The Felix Project works primarily in London, focusing on delivering fresh, nutritious surplus food directly to schools and community organizations. IGD, meanwhile, provides industry-level strategy, working with major supermarkets, suppliers, and distributors to make surplus redistribution a built-in part of the supply chain.
Together, these partners create a powerful, coordinated network capable of delivering food quickly, safely, and consistently.
11 Million Meals: A Landmark Achievement
When the project published its latest results, the scale of what had been achieved was astonishing. Fifty major food businesses—key players in manufacturing, supply, and retail—have committed to redistributing their surplus. This requires internal changes, logistical adjustments, and often financial investment, all undertaken for the sake of community welfare.
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Thanks to these efforts, 11 million meals have been rescued and redirected to people who need them. These meals, once destined for waste, now support schoolchildren, the elderly, homeless communities, and low-income families across the country. The number is not just impressive—it represents a system that is becoming more reliable and sustainable over time.
Fueling Community Efforts
While national organizations manage distribution on a grand scale, the day-to-day support often happens at small, local charities. These groups know their neighborhoods intimately, but many lack the equipment, storage, or staff needed to handle larger volumes of rescued food.
To strengthen this crucial grassroots tier, the project has awarded £900,000 in grants. This funding helps community groups buy freezers, hire coordinators, train volunteers, or expand their food safety operations. In many cases, it transforms small local initiatives into robust, efficient community hubs capable of long-term support.
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Building Food Hubs Across the UK
A project of this size needs infrastructure. For that reason, three Coronation Food Hubs have been established in London, Merseyside, and Birmingham. These are not simple warehouses—they are specialized facilities equipped to receive, sort, store, and distribute huge quantities of perishable food. Their placement ensures wide regional coverage, enabling millions of meals to move quickly from donors to charities.
A Symbolic Royal Visit
To commemorate the project’s two-year milestone, King Charles visited Fortnum & Mason, one of Britain’s most recognizable luxury food retailers. The setting highlighted the project’s belief that all sectors—from premium retailers to local food banks—must work together to address food waste and hunger. The visit brought significant national attention to the initiative and reinforced the King’s commitment to reducing waste across every level of the food industry.
A Legacy of Practical Change
The Coronation Food Project is emerging as a defining achievement of King Charles III’s early reign. It shows a monarch determined to act, not merely speak, by uniting corporations, charities, and communities around a shared cause. The 11 million meals delivered, the partnerships forged, the grants awarded, and the hubs constructed all demonstrate how large-scale philanthropic collaboration can create lasting impact.
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