Ireland urged to accelerate food redistribution as new international declaration gains support
FoodCloud summit hears redistributing just 3% of Ireland’s currently wasted food could provide more than 50 million meals annually
Print19 October 2026
Ireland has been urged to accelerate surplus food redistribution following FoodCloud’s inaugural Irish Food Sharing Summit, where government leaders, food businesses and community organisations highlighted the potential to reduce food waste, cut carbon emissions and improve food security.
Held at Bord Bia headquarters to mark World Food Day on 16 October, the summit brought together stakeholders from across the food supply chain to explore how greater collaboration could ensure more surplus food reaches communities instead of going to waste.
A central focus was Ireland’s newly launched Declaration on Surplus Food Sharing and Redistribution, an international initiative developed by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and FoodCloud.
The declaration calls on governments worldwide to recognise the role of surplus food redistribution in strengthening food security, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the transition to more circular food systems.
Potential to deliver 50 million meals
Analysis by FoodCloud presented at the summit found that redistributing just 3% of the food currently wasted in Ireland could save 21,240 tonnes of food annually, prevent almost 49,000 tonnes of associated carbon emissions and provide more than 50 million meals each year.
The findings highlight the potential for redistribution to deliver environmental and social benefits by making better use of food that has already been produced, while supporting organisations working with communities experiencing food insecurity.
Discussions also explored how Ireland could build on existing initiatives through stronger partnerships between government, food businesses, charities, researchers and community organisations.
Aoibheann O’Brien, co-founder and CEO of FoodCloud, said the summit demonstrated the benefits that food redistribution could deliver for people, communities and the environment.
“The challenge now is to build on the momentum that is being generated and accelerate action across the food system,” O’Brien said.
She added: “Ireland has an opportunity to be a global leader in food redistribution and circular food systems. The declaration launched by Government and the collaboration demonstrated at today’s summit provide a strong foundation for the next phase of progress.”
Government backs international declaration
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment – Darragh O’Brien said Ireland was proud to lead the way with the new declaration as the world looks ahead to COP31 in Türkiye.
“By turning surplus food into a resource rather than a waste, we can advance climate action, strengthen food security, and accelerate the transition to a circular economy,” he said.
The minister welcomed the declaration’s endorsement at the summit and highlighted the role of local authorities, businesses, charities, social enterprises, researchers and communities in delivering lasting benefits.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine – Martin Heydon TD also welcomed the initiative, pointing to the contribution of food sharing and redistribution to Ireland’s Food Vision 2030 strategy.
He said experience funding food redistribution projects had demonstrated that the model works, adding that collaboration with Ireland’s agri-food industry could help ensure food produced by farmers and growers fulfils its primary purpose of feeding people.
Minister of State with special responsibility for the Circular Economy – Alan Dillon said surplus food donation and redistribution could help reduce food waste, protect valuable resources and support households experiencing food insecurity.
He also highlighted opportunities identified through the Food Circle project to strengthen food donation and redistribution across Ireland and internationally.
Food businesses pledge support
Representatives from the retail, food production and manufacturing sectors shared examples of existing redistribution initiatives and discussed how stronger collaboration, improved data and supportive policy frameworks could help scale up their impact.
Aldi, Ballymaloe, BWG, Lidl, O’Brien Fine Foods, Musgrave and Tesco were among the first businesses to sign a statement of support for the Declaration on Surplus Food Sharing and Redistribution.
The signatories called on governments to sign the declaration at COP31 and commit to championing its principles.
Organisations that incorporate surplus food sharing into their services also joined the statement of support, reflecting the importance of partnerships between food businesses and community organisations in getting edible surplus food to those who need it.
Supporting Ireland’s climate and circular economy ambitions
Throughout the summit, speakers examined how surplus food redistribution could contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Zero Hunger, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Climate Action.
Greater redistribution was identified as an important way to maximise the value of food already produced, reduce the environmental impact of food waste and support communities facing increasing demand for assistance.
The summit concluded with a renewed commitment to collaboration across government, industry, academia and community organisations, with the aim of making surplus food sharing a more established part of Ireland’s food system.
With FoodCloud’s analysis indicating that even a 3% redistribution rate could deliver more than 50 million meals annually, the message from the summit was clear: scaling up existing food-sharing initiatives could offer significant benefits for Ireland’s food businesses, communities and environment.
Read more: Danone Ireland and FoodCloud extend partnership for a further two years
© 2026, ShelfLife by Patryk Goron
Related Articles
Ireland’s first housing-led social supermarket opens in Dublin →
Followers 0
Fans 0
Followers