Apart from the fact that @IFAN_UK reported that “some independent food banks and food aid providers are signed up to the national food surplus redistribution charity FareShare and can benefit from a temporary free membership scheme” but that https://twitter.com/CommonsEFRA/status/1288733694249893888

“there is a substantial number of independent food aid providers not signed up to FareShare or who are unable to access this support” the redistribution of food surplus cannot possibly address the poverty driving dramatically increasing food bank use - @IFAN_UK latest data

reports a 177% increase comparing May 2019 with May 2020. We welcome @CommonsEFRA reporting on food insecurity and COVID-19 but are very concerned about the conflation of food waste with food poverty. Yes "the Government urgently needs a sustainable plan to mitigate the possible

growth of food insecurity through a combination of financial and food supply strategies" but it is financial strategies involving income directly to the pockets of people unable to afford food which must be prioritised above any plans to "simply fill the gap".