Sainsbury's Edinburgh Waverley Steps Local

The Food Rescue Group, Edinburgh was established by Suyash Mishra, a student at the University of Edinburgh, to address the growing challenges of food waste, climate change, and local food insecurity. In an era defined by environmental strain, resource scarcity, and ecological imbalance, this initiative is both timely and essential. A core focus of our work is tackling food waste, a significant issue that results in the loss of valuable resources and contributes substantially to methane emissions from landfill. Addressing this problem is both an environmental necessity and a moral responsibility, as redistributing surplus food can provide meaningful support to local families and individuals in need. We work closely with local producers and retailers to ensure surplus food is rescued rather than discarded. These partnerships allow businesses to reduce disposal costs while delivering measurable environmental and social benefits to the community. The day-to-day operation of the Food Rescue Group is led and managed by Suyash and Marina, who oversee all aspects of the initiative. This includes coordinating volunteers, organising surplus food collections, communicating with retailers and partner organisations, managing collection schedules, arranging distribution, responding to last-minute changes, and ensuring food reaches recipient locations safely and on time. Their hands-on management helps maintain an efficient, reliable, and community-centred operation across Edinburgh. Our mission is powered by dedicated local volunteers who collect and distribute surplus food shortly after it becomes available. This rapid turnaround ensures freshness, removes the need for storage, and helps maintain high standards of food safety and quality. Every item is carefully inspected, and any food deemed unsuitable is disposed of responsibly to minimise environmental impact. Volunteer coordination is managed through a dedicated WhatsApp group, providing real-time updates on collection times, locations, and available quantities. Suyash and Marina use this system to coordinate volunteers, respond quickly to changing collection requirements, and ensure the smooth running of rescue and redistribution activities. Through this initiative, we are reducing methane emissions and resource waste by diverting surplus food from landfill. Our work supports those in immediate need while remaining open to anyone who values food, sustainability, and responsible consumption. By engaging a broad cross-section of the community, we aim to foster shared ownership of the solution to food waste. As we continue to develop and refine our approach, we are making meaningful progress towards a more sustainable and inclusive future. Join us in Edinburgh and help make a difference, one meal, one volunteer, and one community at a time.

Our charity was established in 2012 by a group of multi-cultural local people who wanted to do something about the significant increase in local crime, lack of opportunities, inability to access services, extreme poverty & hunger, isolation, fear and rise in racial hostility within their community, aiming to make a positive contribution to the cohesion & economy of the community, to help neighbourhoods feel safer & rekindle old-fashioned community spirit thereby: reducing the effects of deprivation and social exclusion reducing anti-social behaviour redistributing food & toiletries to those most in need ensuring greater numbers of people access local public & 3rd sector services All contributing to our vision: the improvement of dignity, physical & mental tool, quality of life, aspirations and understanding amongst all in our community. Happy to support the community, Glasgow City Council provided a long-term lease on an unused unit in the heart of Crookston which, together, we turned into the bright, welcoming ‘Crookston Community Centre’. In 10 years, our services within the Community Centre developed as needs were identified and now include: Foodshare Drop-in School Holidays Lunch Club Independence from Foodbanks Let’s Get Connected (IT classes) Adult & Children language classes Youth Games & Movie Club Thursdays Cook n Chat General Drop-in Service Volunteering, Training & Work Placements Multi-Culture Fun Days Local MP Chris Stevens surgery from our premises Our Foodshare platforms have reached beyond our immediate community to include ‘On Wheels’, ‘Emergency’ & ‘Pop-Ups’ Glasgow-wide & in Dunterlie, East Renfrewshire. CCG is a community anchor – known as the “Go To” place within the community, we are there to offer a helping hand, somewhere to go without judgement. To facilitate the growth & development of some of these services and to introduce another, we’ve leased a 2ndpremises (4 doors up) to convert into a working/training kitchen & café: ‘Crookston Community Kitchen’(full planning permission secured) with the intention of this becoming sustainable after 12 months by offering Catering Services within South West Glasgow.

Looprun is a response division and part of an independent social enterprise. This is more than food and is part of a supportive services platform to help people get sustained in their own individual way. 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 impact 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 brand new clothing to people facing a temporary challenge. Whatever supermarkets, stores, and retailers can do is turned into a grateful donation to a neighbour in need. This is a response to real people in real-time. 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 has access to professional volunteers who carry out a confidential support service to people in need. From homeless shelters, hostels, sheltered housing, care homes, soup kitchens and schools. This is a non voucher, free and confidential service. This means Looprun can reach more people in need with food donations. Anyone that receives a Looprun bag of essential food items is sustained thus creating a loop cycle. All are invited to become part of these sustainable stories in your local community. For further information and gallery access on the impact of Looprun please visit: Website: https://www.looprun-sciv.online/