ALDI CHIPPING NORTON

Food Rescue Group, Witney, Carterton, Chipping Norton & Wantage takes a practical, community-led approach to tackling food waste and promoting sustainable living across the town. At a time when climate change, resource depletion, and ecological imbalance are intensifying, this work is both urgent and essential. A central focus of the group’s mission is addressing food waste, a major issue that squanders valuable energy, water, and labour while contributing significantly to climate change through methane emissions from landfill. Globally, around one third of all food produced is wasted, and locally the environmental and social consequences are felt just as strongly. By rescuing surplus food, the group reduces harmful emissions while providing vital support to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. The group works in partnership with local producers, independent shops, and larger retailers to ensure surplus food is used for good rather than discarded. These collaborations are mutually beneficial. Businesses reduce disposal costs and their environmental footprint, while the community gains access to fresh, nutritious food. Pickup and distribution are coordinated by Edyta Karimi and Lucie Baker, who manage volunteer schedules, oversee collections, and ensure rescued food reaches those who can use it most, promptly and safely. The initiative is powered by dedicated volunteers, including students from nearby universities, local residents, and members of community groups. Volunteers are central to the group’s success, responding quickly to notifications and collecting surplus food within minutes of availability. This rapid turnaround ensures food remains fresh and safe, while removing the need for energy-intensive storage. Any food that cannot be redistributed is disposed of responsibly to minimise environmental harm and prevent further waste. All coordination takes place through a dedicated WhatsApp group, which provides volunteers with real-time updates on collection schedules, locations, and available quantities. This system enables swift communication, efficient planning, and the most effective use of resources. The impact of the Food Rescue Group in Witney, Carterton, Chipping Norton & Wantage is both environmental and social. Every kilogram of food rescued avoids emissions that would otherwise result from landfill, while helping people access nutritious food. Beyond these outcomes, the initiative strengthens local networks, fosters shared responsibility, and builds community resilience in the face of environmental and economic challenges. As the group continues to refine its approach and expand its reach, it demonstrates that community-led action can deliver meaningful and measurable change.

About Breadline Project Community PantryHow Our Food Redistribution WorksThe Breadline Project Community Pantry operates on a dignified, membership-based redistribution model rather than a traditional food bank system. To support our community sustainably, members pay a small service charge of £4 per visit. In return, this fee grants them the dignity of choice, allowing them to select an array of fresh produce, chilled items, and ambient store-cupboard staples worth significantly more.Members are free to choose what they need, and limitations on quantities only apply to specific low-stock items to ensure everyone in the community gets a fair share. This small financial contribution removes the stigma often associated with emergency food aid, provides an authentic shopping experience, and directly funds our community hub's essential running costs, such as refrigeration, storage, and logistics.Our Emergency Care PolicyWhile we run a membership model, we believe no one should go hungry. We provide immediate emergency food support completely free of charge and without fees to any individuals or families facing severe crisis or immediate financial hardship.How We Use Neighbourly FoodEvery item of surplus food we rescue through Neighbourly is used exclusively to stock our pantry shelves or supply our emergency provisions. We operate on a strict non-profit basis; no profit is ever made from donated food. The items received from our partners go directly into the hands of local low-income individuals and families who are experiencing food insecurity. By bridging the gap between food waste and community need, we ensure that high-quality surplus food provides vital, nutritious support to those who need it most in our local area.

Looprun is a response division and part of an independent social enterprise called Glass Mill Social Enterprise C.I.C. This is more than food and is part of a platform called RSBA1 (Response, Sustain, Build, Achieve). A free supportive services platform to help people get back on their feet. With up to 94% success rate and seeing once those receiving free Looprun response bags to returning to stores as shoppers with baskets full. These are the happy stories created when all come together to do good for good. Service users are signposted to Looprun mostly from referrals including professionals in social and healthcare. Looprun provides free non perishables, perishable food, toiletries, and clothing to people facing a challenge. Whatever you can do is turned into a grateful donation to a neighbour in need. As everything given and everybody counts. No food is banked providing a direct in and out service. We believe if the food is stored then a person in need is not getting any food, hence we provide an instant response and instant impact service. Looprun food donations can include fresh fruit, vegetables, bakery items and non perishables. Looprun has access to professional volunteers who carry out a confidential support service to people in need. From homeless shelters, hostels, sheltered housing, care homes and schools. This is a non voucher, free and confidential service. This means Looprun can reach more people in need with your food donations. Therefore we need your help to ensure we can supply the demand in this crisis. Anyone that receives a Looprun bag of essential food items is sustained thus creating a loop cycle. We, therefore, are a platform for a voice to be heard in the community and share life changing stories. It would be great to have more partners become part of these stories in your local community. Looprun has also expanded into providing toiletries and brand new items of clothing. For further information and gallery access on the impact of Looprun please visit: Website: www.loopruninstore.org