ALDI WALKDEN

The Food Rescue Group at Manchester mobilises an active and committed network of student volunteers and community partners from across the city. Led by students from local universities, the group turns climate concern into practical action by addressing food waste at a grassroots level. Food waste is a major driver of climate change. Valuable resources such as land, water, and energy are consumed to produce food, yet large quantities are discarded and sent to landfill, where they generate methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. By rescuing surplus food and redirecting it to people who need it, the group reduces environmental harm while supporting families and individuals across Manchester. The initiative works in partnership with local producers, retailers, and food businesses to ensure surplus food is used rather than wasted. These partnerships reduce disposal costs for businesses while delivering measurable environmental benefits. In Manchester, operations are powered by students from the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Salford, the University of Bolton, and the Royal Northern College of Music, alongside members of the Hindu community and other local groups. Together, they demonstrate how student-led action can create meaningful climate impact. Pickup and distribution in Manchester are coordinated by Haojun Shuai and Ramanujam Nagarajan, who manage volunteer schedules, oversee collections, and ensure rescued food is delivered promptly and safely. Their leadership supports efficient operations while keeping the group’s work firmly rooted in student engagement and community values. Food is collected and redistributed within 15 minutes of pickup, ensuring freshness and removing the need for storage facilities. All items are carefully inspected to meet food safety standards, and any unsuitable food is disposed of responsibly to minimise environmental impact. Coordination is managed through a dedicated WhatsApp group, providing real-time updates on collection times, locations, and quantities. Through this work, the Food Rescue Group at Manchester diverts significant volumes of food from landfill, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, conserves valuable resources, and strengthens community connections. As the group continues to grow, it remains committed to showing how student-led climate action can drive real change, one meal, one volunteer, and one community at a time.

We provide home cooked meals to those in need.

We serve the local community, with an emphasis on health and wellbeing, we hold plant-based cooking classes, weekly energy healing sessions, all free to attend. As well as being used as an event space, for Tai Chi classes, Yoga, sound baths, and art and craft activities. All are welcome, we are ran solely by volunteers, all food that is surplus is disseminated to a local homelessness charity, ensuring zero waste. We approach our work from a place of compassion and selflessness, due to the spiritual practices of the temple itself. However this is not a religion, and people from all walks of life, religions, nationalities are warmly welcomed and encouraged. We believe in peace and harmony between everyone, and wish to help the local community to thrive. Little Hulton is an area with a high level of poverty and depravation and we wish to continue to support residents where possible. Food supplies are a priority and needed to feed volunteers and local residents who attend the free community activities, as well as the plant based cooking classes, they have been self funded by volunteers but this has become unsustainable. Though any volunteers are greatly appreciated and welcomed particularly gardeners, DIYers, and cooks. But food supplies are first priority.