A new social venture has been launched by the University of Nottingham and the University of Bristol aimed at reducing food waste and addressing food insecurity. Circular Agriculture Hub connects small-scale farmers with community buyers, including food banks, social supermarkets, and small food producers, to sell surplus produce.
The venture was established with £40,000 in seed funding from ImpactU and is the outcome of a long-term academic collaboration between Dr Lucy McCarthy of Bristol and Professor Anne Touboulic of Nottingham. Research shows that seven per cent of food intended for consumption is wasted on UK farms each year. Meanwhile, millions of people face food insecurity. Circular Agriculture Hub aims to mitigate this issue by facilitating the redistribution of surplus or imperfect produce, such as misshapen vegetables or cosmetically damaged fruit, to those in need.
Initially operating offline in a brokerage-style model, the platform will evolve into a digital tool to enhance its national, and potentially international, reach. This social venture reflects the universities’ dedication to impactful research, social good, and sustainable food practices. The launch and initial investment funding align with the universities’ broader goals of addressing key societal and environmental challenges.
