Sainsbury's Prestwood Wycombe Rd Local

“We are fighting food waste and preventing residual food from going to landfill. The residual food is repurposed to ensure no one goes hungry”. We have a retail shop in the centre of High Wycombe. The shop is open 6 days a week. We have a warehouse on the first floor where we can sort and distribute food. This allows us to both run a shop feeding those in need and supply our partner organisations. We are collecting from leading major supermarkets within a 15-mile radius of High Wycombe. We also receive direct deliveries from manufacturers and warehouses. We are also a member of the Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN) which represents independent food banks and distributors across the UK. Our Food Hub model allows us to manage not only residual food but also ambient, chilled, and frozen food. The fact we have both a retail and wholesale distribution ability has been identified by Fare share as one of a few operations in SE England with this capability. Who do we supply? WFH supply products to people unable to access or buy food, those that cannot get Government aid or are unable to survive on the Government’s benefit payments, those who are now suffering from loss of jobs and the self-employed who cannot get benefits, those who cannot access the traditional referral foodbanks. The range of people coming to us for help is growing weekly. Considering what is happening nationally the need for our food and services will continue to grow. We have partnered with other charities and groups and we are supplying residual product to food distribution organisations across Bucks. We are also piloting supplying food to partner organisations who are using the ingredients in hot meals and school food packs. Current scale of operation We have volunteers out each day and evenings collecting residual food. We currently collect more than 250 crates a week from leading supermarkets, warehouses, and retail shops. Food that would otherwise go to landfill. We have a retail food hub open 6 days a week for 3 hours each day We are directly feeding Circa 500 people each week through our retail food hub and partners. In addition, we offer free food outside of the hub . Our wholesale operation is supplying both food parcels and crates of food to our partners. We are also now being asked to supply food to be used in the preparation of cooked meals. Our wholesale operation is growing each week as more organisations draw on our services Funding streams We receive no statutory finding from govt of Council. We rely on donations from public and by asking for a donation from users of our retail hub. We also supply food free to the charities and organisations who are taking food from us each week.

Serving the people of High Wycombe and South Bucks with food parcels

The Food Rescue Group at Aylesbury brings together dedicated volunteers, community partners, and supportive local businesses to promote sustainable living, reduce food waste, and strengthen connections across the community. At the heart of our work is the challenge of food waste, an issue with significant environmental and social consequences. Producing food requires vast amounts of land, water, and energy, and when edible food is discarded these resources are lost. Much of this food ends up in landfill, where it generates methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. By rescuing and redistributing surplus food, we help prevent harmful emissions while providing practical support to individuals and families within the Aylesbury community. In Aylesbury, we work closely with local producers, retailers, and suppliers to intercept surplus food before it is wasted. These partnerships benefit everyone involved. Businesses reduce disposal costs and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, while the community gains access to fresh, high-quality food that would otherwise be lost. Food pickup and distribution are coordinated by Neida Begum and Nathalie Stewart, who organise volunteer schedules, oversee collections, and ensure food is delivered promptly and safely. Their leadership is central to keeping operations efficient, reliable, and community-focused. Our volunteer network includes students from nearby universities, local residents, and members of community organisations. Together, they collect and redistribute surplus food shortly after pickup, ensuring freshness while removing the need for storage facilities. Any unsuitable food is disposed of responsibly, and where possible, packaging is recycled or repurposed to minimise environmental impact. To support smooth and responsive operations, a dedicated WhatsApp group is used to share real-time updates on collection times, locations, and available quantities. This system enables volunteers to respond quickly and ensures that no opportunity to rescue food is missed. Clear communication also helps match rescued food to recipients as efficiently as possible. By diverting large volumes of food from landfill, the Food Rescue Group, Aylesbury is reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving valuable resources, and strengthening community ties. The impact goes beyond environmental outcomes, fostering a culture of sharing, care, and mutual support. As the chapter continues to grow, its mission remains clear: to show that small, consistent actions can lead to meaningful and lasting change.