Food Redistribution

Food redistribution to charitable causes can enrich the local society and support people in need. Food that is wasted has a large financial and environmental cost which exacerbates its impact on those who struggle to eat on a daily basis.

Despite the availability of separate food waste recycling bins, when surplus food is disposed of, it is often incorrectly placed into both general waste and mixed recycling bins. Food waste causes issues in recycling by contaminating other waste streams and reducing their quality. It also makes them harder to process, meaning recyclable material can be lost. This can cost more money and contribute towards climate change, through larger volumes of methane gas being released from the breakdown of food produce.

University of Nottingham Souprunners

UoN Souprunners is a non-profit organisation led by students at the University of Nottingham. This organisation supported the set up of the equivalent society at Nottingham Trent University and often the groups work together to make sure that the essential service is maintained.Twice weekly soup runs are operated throughout the year on Tuesday and Sunday evenings to provide food and hot drinks, as well as essentials such as clothes, sleeping bags and toiletries for the homeless in Nottingham. The organisation seeks to provide much-needed support to homeless and vulnerable people in Nottingham, as well as raise awareness about homelessness and educate volunteers so that they can provide the best support and information. Associated fundraising events including ‘sleep outs’ help to raise money and increase awareness of the cause. 

Nottingham Trent University Souprunners

Run by students from Nottingham Trent University, Souprunners Trent is a non-profit society created in order to benefit the homeless and vulnerable people in Nottingham.

Although a relatively new society, they have worked hard to develop an active and friendly community with weekly self-organised soup runs. Each session involves collecting, preparing and then distributing food in the city centre. Run exclusively by volunteers, students provide the manpower for soup runs as well as contributing towards fundraising efforts and other events.

NTU’s internal Catering Team contribute to this cause, and reduce their own food waste by donating unsold goods including sandwiches, salads and fruit pots to both the NTU Souprunners Society and local charity Tracy’s Street Kitchen.

In the UK, Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) estimates that 12 million tonnes of food are wasted annually, with an economic value of £12 billion per year. This food contributes 20 million tonnes of Green House Gas emissions, yet 75% of this waste could have been avoided. Schemes like these can help save food from going to waste as well as support the growing numbers of homeless and vulnerable people in Nottingham City Centre.