Our Changeprint
Our Changeprint can be measured by the volume and quality of food surplus redistributed; greenhouse gas emissions saved by using e-vehicles and reducing food waste; the people who benefit from the good quality food and through helping avoid unnecessary waste; new skills and friendships developed by making this food system work.
Our story
Food Connect aims to redistribute food that is perfectly good to eat but would otherwise go to waste. Currently using two e-cargo bikes and an e-van to offer this zero-emissions service in Milton Keynes. Annually, the 200-strong Community Fridge Network redistributes around 5,712 tonnes of surplus food (that's the equivalent of 13.6 million meals!) and welcomes over 375,000 visitors
Community fridges also do so much more than redistribute food, they help people to share skills, stuff and make friends! Find out more about our impact here: https://www.hubbub.org.uk/the-community-fridge
One of the biggest challenges that the Community Fridge Network faces is relying on volunteers to collect surplus food. At times these collections may be late at night, or more than a volunteer can carry.
Food Connect helps bridge the 'final mile' between food businesses and the community. In its first six months Food Connect saved 109 tons of food from landfill (260K meals); created 6 green jobs; saved 1.7 tonnes of transport emissions; and saved at least 36 tonnes greenhouse gas emissions associated with food.
During the pilot, Food Connect typically collected around 5 tonnes of food and redistributed it to over 900 households via six community fridges, every week.
Our advice
This pilot service, which had been running in Milton Keynes between September 2020 and February 2021, is now an established, successful service. The team are very excited to share their learnings and develop the model in other parts of the UK.
