Pret Edinburgh, Lothian Road

SHRUB Cooperative is an organisation based in Edinburgh. The Food Sharing Hub initiative collects surplus food and redistributes it free of charge to the local community, food provision partners and a network of Edinburgh hostels. The Food Sharing Hub is Scotland’s first rescued food shop. Now located at the Pavilion Cafe and Community Hub, it saves surplus food from supermarkets and small businesses around Edinburgh from an unnecessary fate in the bin. It’s open for everyone. Simply come along to the Food Sharing Hub, fill a basket with food and take it for free or give a donation. How does it happen? To get all of this delicious food on our shelves, it takes a lot of work and a dedicated team of volunteers! ​ Step 1 In the evenings, our collection team travel round all our partner stores on cargo bikes collecting food that the stores haven't managed to sell. Step 2 These collectors then bring the food to a team of volunteers waiting at the Pavilion who sort through it and store it appropriately. This team take some of the food to local hostels on their way home. Step 3 The next morning, a team of volunteers from the Pavilion come in early to arrange the food on the shelves and put aside some food for other partner organisations. Step 4 Our doors open at 10:30am and our shelves are looking full and tidy - all thanks to all these people! We're open 7 days a week from 10:30am til at least 15:30pm -- sometimes longer!

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.

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.