surplus food

USAGE SUMMARY

"surplus food" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It refers to food that is in excess or more than is needed. Example: The local food bank received a generous donation of surplus food from the nearby grocery store.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Surplus food was sold on the market.

The New York Times

A new £15 fund will redistribute surplus food to charities.

The Guardian

Surplus food redistribution charity FareShare welcomed the report but said it estimated that as much as 400,000 tonnes of good, surplus food could be redistributed each year.

The Guardian

Food rescue nutrition is the process of redistribution of surplus food to the impoverished.

Public Health

Father Frew finds fifty thousand dollars and donors of surplus food.

The New Yorker

That's why the Feeding America nationwide network of food banks gets surplus food to hungry kids.

The New York Times

The wage was basic but we had extra rations and got surplus food from the farm.

Independent

The quantity of surplus food clearly outnumbers the number of hungry people.

The New York Times

A variety of organizations redistribute surplus food to low-income populations through food rescue nutrition.

Public Health

Community Shop is a subsidiary of Company Shop, a commercial redistributor of surplus food and goods.

The Guardian

Technology can also help people find homes for surplus food they have.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about food programs, use "surplus food" to emphasize the availability of resources and potential for redistribution to those in need.

Common error

Don't assume "surplus food" is always negative like food waste. "Surplus food" can be a valuable resource if managed properly, while food waste implies spoilage or unnecessary disposal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surplus food" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It identifies a quantity of food that is in excess of what is needed or used, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "surplus food" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase referring to excess food, as supported by Ludwig. It's frequently used in news, science, and business contexts to describe food that is available for redistribution or other uses. While related to the concept of food waste, "surplus food" emphasizes the potential positive use of excess resources. Alternatives include "excess food" and "food surplus". When using the term, be mindful of the potential for confusion with food waste and focus on highlighting the opportunity for beneficial use of the “surplus food”.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excess food

Focuses on the idea of food being in excess, similar to "surplus food".

food surplus

Rearranges the words, maintaining the same meaning but with a slightly different emphasis.

extra food

Uses a more general term, "extra", to denote the presence of additional food.

spare food

Indicates food that is available as a reserve or surplus.

leftover food

Refers to food remaining after a meal or event, implying it's in excess of what was consumed.

glut of food

Emphasizes a large and excessive supply of food.

unconsumed food

Highlights the fact that the food has not been eaten, implying it's available as a surplus.

overabundant food

Highlights the excessive quantity of food available.

food waste

While often negative, it can describe food that is in surplus and at risk of being discarded.

excess produce

Specifically refers to surplus fruits and vegetables, usually from farming.

FAQs

How can I use "surplus food" in a sentence?

You can use "surplus food" to describe excess food available for redistribution, as in "The charity collects "surplus food" from local restaurants to feed the homeless."

What are some alternatives to saying "surplus food"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "excess food", "food surplus", or "leftover food".

Is it better to say "surplus food" or "food waste" when talking about excess food?

"Surplus food" typically refers to edible food that is in excess, while "food waste" implies food that is no longer suitable for consumption or has been discarded. Use "surplus food" when the food is still good and available for use.

How does the redistribution of "surplus food" help communities?

Redistributing "surplus food" can reduce food insecurity, minimize environmental impact by preventing waste, and support local charities and food banks.