Environmental charity Hubbub have managed to save around 110 tonnes of food (which amounts to almost 260,000 meals) from going to waste during a pilot project called Food Connect, which ran from September 2020 to February 2021 in Milton Keynes, England.  

The charity launched a zero-emissions redistribution service that saves surplus food (that would have been binned) from retailers and other businesses. They then transport it via e-cargo bikes and an e-van to a local community fridge or community group where it can be shared with local residents. 

The pilot project was hosted by Wolverton Community Fridge and assisted community groups across Milton Keynes. It was so successful that they now want to expand to new locations across the UK.

They also ran a Covid response service during the first lockdown back in summer 2020, delivering food packs to vulnerable households.

They talk about the impact they’ve had on their website: “The food saved was associated with at least 36 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, while the use of electric vehicles avoided 1.7 tonnes of transport emissions. The pilot also created six green jobs.” 

The project Co-ordinator, Helen Innes, said “Food Connect has enabled us to provide food to around 800 local families a week and has also reduced the pressure on the volunteers who would be making these journeys by foot, taxi or car to pick up the surplus food.”

A step in the right direction for a more eco-friendly future!