The UK hospitality industry has once again shown its commitment to tackling world hunger, raising £313,114 through Action Against Hunger UK’s 13th Love Food Give Food campaign.
Over 100 restaurants from across the UK participated in this year’s campaign, with venues spanning London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Brighton, and Glasgow. Notable participants included Fazenda, Hakkasan, Brat, Mr Bao, The Coal Shed, Gymkhana, and Angela Hartnett’s Murano and Cafe Murano.
Since its launch in 2011, Love Food Give Food has raised more than £4.4 million, supporting thousands of children and families facing hunger. Despite the ongoing challenges of rising living costs and economic pressures on dining out, this year’s campaign proved to be a resounding success.
In 2024, the biggest fundraiser was manteca in Soho, which raised a remarkable £12,395, while the largest group fundraiser was Hawksmoor with an incredible £52,356 raised. The Pig, Super 8, D&D London and Tao Group Hospitality also went above and beyond in their fundraising efforts this year.
“A huge thank you to all the participating restaurants and everyone who contributed to this year’s campaign. We are incredibly grateful for the hospitality industry’s ongoing support and for everyone who joined forces to make Love Food Give Food 2024 an incredible success. This campaign is such an easy way to support the fight against hunger, with just £1 on the bill making a huge difference. The funds raised will provide vital support to children and communities facing hunger across the world —support that is more crucial than ever” said Jean-Michel Grand, Executive Director of Action Against Hunger UK.
Participating restaurants encouraged customers to add just £1 to their bill, a small gesture with the potential for a big impact. This modest contribution can provide a mother with a day’s supply of ready-to-use therapeutic food, a highly effective treatment for severe malnutrition in children under five. With consistent treatment, children can recover from life-threatening malnutrition in as little as 45 days.
“Making a difference through initiatives like Love Food Give Food is one of the high points of our year. It’s a big part of our business and culture, and I hope it’s also why both our staff and customers have come to love Hawksmoor” said Will Beckett, co-owner of Hawksmoor Restaurants.
The funds raised will support Action Against Hunger’s work across 55 countries, providing life-saving interventions in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions. From aiding communities devastated by natural disasters to offering critical support in conflict zones like Gaza and Sudan, the charity also helps populations adapt to the challenges of climate change in countries such as Zambia and Somalia.
In 2023 alone, hunger affected 733 million people, one in every eleven worldwide. Contributions from diners’ bills play an important role in addressing the root causes of hunger, including conflict, climate change, and inequality, while delivering life-saving aid to those who need it most.
Action Against Hunger UK is continuing to welcome new restaurants to join our campaign. If you are a restaurant eager to participate, let us know by reaching out to [email protected].