M&S Straiton RP Foodhall

A project that redirects food and resources to reduce waste, support people and build community! We collect surplus food and other items from around Edinburgh and beyond, sourcing items from various supermarkets, companies, and universities that would otherwise end up in landfill, and redistribute them to those on low incomes or those living below the poverty line. This includes families, refugees, the homeless, students, and the elderly etc. We also give to community centres, homeless hostels, women's refuge centres, refugee organisations, and other community projects. In addition we have a community café to bring the community together with activities, and provide freshly cooked food with what we have collected. As well as helping with financial and nutritional deficiencies, we alleviate loneliness and improve mental health conditions. We operate from a community centre where the space is also used as a Coorie-in (registered warm space). I was recently awarded a volunteer award, and the community have been so grateful for what Goodies has done so far for those struggling with poverty and loneliness. We identify people who re in need through recommendations from homeless hostels, and other organisations. Also we are very familiar with our community and what their state is. Users of the service are welcome to donate, but it's not necessary and many cannot.

At Tummies Not Trash, we believe good food belongs in tummies, not in the trash. Our volunteer team operates 7 days a week, collecting surplus food from retailers across Edinburgh and redistributing it through our central Hub, helping ensure perfectly good food is eaten rather than wasted. Food collected through our network is made available in a number of ways: Free items, including bread, fruit, vegetables and other short-life produce, are available to all throughout our opening hours. Within the Hub, chilled, frozen and ambient items are also redistributed through our community basket model, with voluntary donations helping to support transport, storage, premises and the ongoing running of the charity. To maximise impact and minimise waste, surplus food from our Hub is also shared daily with partner organisations across Edinburgh, including schools, libraries, lunch clubs and community centres, helping extend the reach of good food into local communities. Everything we do is built around our simple goal: reducing food waste, supporting communities, and making the very most of food that would otherwise go to waste.

Our main game is to reduce Food Waste in the local area. This comes from a desire to respond to the Climate Emergency in a practical, urgent way. We want to increase awareness in the community about the environmental impact of food waste and inspire positive changes to behaviour. We hope to address issues of food poverty as part of this project and reach those in our community who are most in need of food. Everyone is welcome at our project, there is no stigma to collecting food and we make it fully accessible. We aim to become a linked in part of the community project ecosystem in Portobello, receiving active support from local organisations like Action Porty, the Town Hall, the Wash House, the Timebank and PEDAL. Our ultimate vision is to prevent food waste whilst creating a sociable space for the community to cook, eat and share food. We are mindful of our carbon use and the impact of our activities. We intend to increase our use of cargo bikes in collecting and delivering food. Food collected is offered to all on Saturday morning from 10.30am. We ask for donation [suggested donation £3 per basket of food]. Part 1: Scarcity within Abundance: Community Fridges and the Contradictions of Food Redistribution (Part 1) | Living Good Food Nation Lab Part 2: Scarcity within Abundance: Community Fridges and the Contradictions of Food Redistribution (Part 2) | Living Good Food Nation Lab