Food and hospitality industry raises £132,000 for Farm Africa

The UK food and hospitality industry was out in force last night, raising an incredible £132,000 for its ongoing Food for Good campaign in aid of Farm Africa which is playing a vital role in tackling hunger in eastern Africa.

Over 200 guests attended the fundraising event at the Victoria and Albert Museum ball, organised by the leading UK charity Farm Africa. Each place at the ball was sold for £350; a sum that can help take an African family out of hunger.

Responding to the incredible amount raised, Farm Africa’s Chairman Richard Macdonald said:

“Last night was a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved when the industry comes together, even in the face of a very challenging economic climate. But last night’s Food for Good Ball is just the start of something much bigger as we redouble our efforts to raise even more, so we can achieve our aim of broadening our work to end hunger.”

The ball was staged under the Dome in the surroundings of London’s Victoria and Albert Museum with support for the evening coming from the Ball’s Platinum Sponsors: ABP Food Group and Compass Group UK and Ireland.

The £132,000 raised last night - in addition to £750,000 already raised since the first challenge event in 2011 when food industry leaders climbed Mount Kilimanjaro - will play a vital role in helping Farm Africa to realise one of its key aims this year: expanding the range of its life-changing work to 2 million people across eastern Africa.

One of the highlights of the evening was a dinner prepared by the Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton of Pollen Street Social. Guests were treated to a wild duck and bramble salad starter, roasted beef fillet with braised oxtail and marrow and horseradish mash, before finishing with an exotic coconut rice pudding served with pickled mango.

Atherton, who describes Farm Africa as “a cause close to my heart”, was thrilled to play such an important part in the evening’s success, saying:

“By coming together to raise as much money as we could on the night, the food and hospitality sectors have shown just how much we can all do in the coming year and beyond to support Farm Africa’s work in tackling hunger – for good.”

See photos from the night over on our Facebook page