Sainsbury's Edinburgh Nicolson St Local

The Food Rescue Group, Edinburgh was established by Ankita Gupta, 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. Local food collection and distribution across Edinburgh is led by Suyash and Mariana, with vital support from Ankita and Alba , who oversees volunteer scheduling, manages collections, and ensures timely delivery to recipient locations. Their leadership helps maintain efficiency, safety, and a strong community-centred approach in all our operations. 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 upholds the highest 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. This streamlined communication system enables fast response times and ensures the smooth running of our rescue and redistribution efforts. Through this initiative, we are significantly reducing methane emissions and resource waste by diverting large volumes of food from landfill. Our work benefits 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 foster shared ownership of the solution to food waste. As we continue to 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.

Edinburgh Food Project wants to see an Edinburgh without poverty, where everyone has what they need to thrive. We run seven foodbanks across Edinburgh, giving relief from hunger and worry for people who simply don’t have enough money to live on. Our Money Advice Service supports people to move out of crisis through giving advice on benefits, budgeting and debt. And we work with partners to call for systemic change to end the need for foodbanks.

Hi. I’m Kat and I’m autistic. I run a community fridge and weekly support meetups for autistic and learning disabled men and women in Edinburgh. My main aim is to reduce loneliness in the autistic community whilst providing peer advice to address issues impacting autistic women e.g lack of mental health assistance, food insecurity and unemployment. The meetups are free to attend and information is provided online on our website and in our group WhatsApp chat with over 120 people in it (link available online). No.6 One Stop Shop for Autism highlights our meetups on their Facebook page and their coordinators use word of mouth to identify potential users. Our meetups are officially recommended by The Department of Work and Pensions, GP practices and link workers across Edinburgh who identify and signpost our services to users. At our weekly meetups guests can meet, have a coffee and receive advice from like-minded autistic women and information on other support organisations incl. Goodies Charity, SWAN Scotland and Mad Jam. Our drop-in is held every second Friday from 5.30-8pm at The Alcove, a private room in Bar 50 and is free to attend. It provides a free space which guests can use at their leisure e.g to eat, do craft, play board games or watch the TV. Additionally, with assistance from staff I run and operate seasonal craft workshops at No.6 One Stop Shop for autism. There users can relax with a coffee and make or decorate Christmas, Easter or Halloween crafts. I am now a linked in part of the autistic community in Edinburgh, receiving active support, discounts and free venue hire from local organisations like the Scottish Arts Club, Nor’ Loft, Bar 50, The Commons Club, Brewhemia and many more. This allows for the weekly support meetups to be held in different venues each week depending on private room availability. Guests who attend the meetups automatically become group members gaining access to the discounts and a free Autistic Girl card. As 75% of autistic women are unemployed and many food organisations are inaccessible to low functioning autistic people, using Neighbourly, I now collect and supply any surplus food I can to group members when asked for. I am contacted through the WhatsApp group and and when food is available, I provide it at a location of their choosing. The autism community have been so grateful for what I have done so far for those struggling with autism related difficulties and loneliness. I am very aware of my community and what we need to do to support each other. Whilst there is always more to do, supporting each other goes a long way. Images below include 1. Christmas card making. 2. Christmas baking and decorating at drop in. 3. Example of Autistic Girl card providing discounts. 4. Guests at meetup. 5. Champagne offered at Scottish Arts Club meetup. 6. Halloween decorations put up by member in drop-in. 7. Christmas cake decorating and craft at No.6 One Stop Shop Autism 8. Photo of Kat at first meetup.