Food Connect London Y1 Impact Report

Taking good food further

Food Connect

Food Connect is a professional food redistribution service developed and delivered by Hubbub, that uses zero-emissions vehicles.

Food Connect tackles the ‘final mile*’ challenge by delivering good quality surplus food for community groups to share.

Food Connect aims to 1 4 5

Food Connect began as a pilot in Milton Keynes. In 2022, the model was launched in Southwark, London. Food Connect London now operates two e-cargo bikes with trailers and an e-van hosted and delivered by Albrighton Community Centre, Oasis Waterloo Hub and Sustainable Merton.

*Final mile is the last step of a product’s journey

Albrighton Community Centre Oasis Waterloo Hub Sustainable Merton

Why Food Connect?

Despite significant progress on reducing waste across sectors over recent years, WRAP estimates that a vast quantity of surplus remains in the UK food system and that 35% of the UKs GHG emissions comes from our food and drink*

The last or final mile is the most inefficient in redistribution. Food at this stage is close to the end of its life and redistribution often depends on collections by small voluntary organisations.

Since 2016 Hubbub has supported over 400 groups to open a Community Fridge and join the Community Fridge Network. With more established outlets and the growing need for sharing surplus food, this is an important and exciting time for Food Connect.

How does it work?

Food Connect consolidates surplus food available via Foodiverse, Neighbourly, Caboodle and directly from retailers to a single account, on behalf of local community groups.

* wrap.org.uk/resources/report/ uk-food-system-ghg-emissions

The team plans a route based on food available on a given day and a knowledgeable, professional courier collects at the appointed time.

Local groups receive an equitable share of available food.

The numbers so far

Year One Totals:

Supported over 17k visits 221 tonnes of food collected

12,230 miles in clean vehicles

Over half a million meals shared

Estimate of 30% fruit and veg collected

2.8 tonnes ghgs saved (transport)*

Over 2000 collections made

31 retailer partnerships

Quarterly growth:

4

Our teams

Albrighton Community Centre

1 van

6 paid green jobs

217 tonnes food

11,753 miles

Oasis

Waterloo Hub

1 bike and trailer

Sustainable

Merton

1 bike and trailer

2 paid green jobs

1.7 tonnes food

321 miles

Highlights

Spring 2022

Food Connect established a van service in partnership with Albrighton Community Centre.

Summer 2022

Food Connect showcased as a Food Flagship Initiative by ReLondon and the GLA.

Autumn 2022

Autumn 2022

Oasis Waterloo Hub launched a new Food Connect bike service providing food for two community fridges.

Spring 2023

Sustainable Merton launched a new bike service helping their established network of food hubs and community fridges.

Hubbub was invited to showcase FC as a solution at a roundtable hosted by the Felix Project, supported by the GLA and attended by FareShare, City Harvest and others in the redistribution space.

Spring 2023

A rider based out of Oasis Waterloo is becoming a certified e-cargo bike safety trainer which will support training of others by a dedicated FC trainer.

When the idea of opening a community fridge and then launching Food Connect was first proposed to us, the objective of reducing food wastage alone stood out as making this a project worth pursuing. Looking back now, it was impossible to imagine the myriad of additional benefits it would bring to us as an organisation, to the staff and volunteers that work for us, and of course to the various disadvantaged communities we represent. It has been an utterly inspiring journey.

Steve Hedger

Albrighton Community Centre

April 2023

Feast sessions – culturally appropriate meals for Ukrainian and Afghan refugees

Sunday Sessions – provided through Oasis Church

Warm hub initiatives

Access to increased quantity, range, and quality of food has had a deeper impact within London communities.

Oasis Breakfast Club

Local Partnerships

Albrighton Community Centre, Oasis Waterloo Hub and Sustainable Merton work directly with the following organisations to help share food collected via Food Connect:

• Kings College Hospital

• Red Cross

• Guys Hospital

• Adult Social Services Southwark

• Childrens Social Services Southwark

• Southwark Council Hub

• Local Resident Services Officer (Southwark Council)

• Peabody Housing

• Southwark Childrens Centre

• Pecan Foodbank

• Southwark Pensioners

• Barry House Refugee Hotel

• Best Western Peckham Refugee Hotel

• Salvation Army

• Waterloo Action Centre

• Clarion Housing

• Commonside Community Development Trust

• Polish Family Association

The e-bike and riders have so improved our food provision. Feel really blessed.

Di Blackler, Oasis Waterloo Hub, April 2023

Help to support local initiatives

Having a professional team to collect food has freed up time for over 500 volunteers to support local initiatives:

• Delivery of food to vulnerable residents and those with mobility issues post covid

• Provide support with benefit claims and form-filling

• Vaccination Hub

• Citizens Advice Hub

• Southwark Referral Food Hub for Ukranian and Afghan refugees

• Provide an access point for grant applications for cost-of-living crisis

• A refill project

• Work experience for local school children including hours towards Duke of Edinburgh and Princes Trust schemes

• Providing fridges, microwaves, kettles and toasters for people in need

• Providing clothing and bedding for people attending the sessions

Thanks to our current funders in London

Mayor of London, Southwark Borough Council and Starbucks

To Jackie, Steve, Dennis, Franck, Peter, James, Sarah, Andrew, Cliff, Dawn, Di, Graeme, Jim, Ruth, Tessa, Ben, Jude, Helen, Jason, Craig and Katie who work tirelessly to make Food Connect a success in London. They are our true food waste warriors!