ALDI PENISTONE ROAD

The project began in May 2015 and ran a series of successful pop-ups, feeding an average of 201 people per event and utilising 15 volunteers each time to assist in the planning and execution of the events. Fast forward to 2026 and Food Works now recovers over 300 tonnes of surplus food per year to help build a fair and sustainable food system in Sheffield. Through our two community cafes and 17 community partner hubs we are providing access to affordable, sustainable food across the city.

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/

Food Rescue Group, Sheffield takes a practical, community-led approach to tackling food waste and promoting sustainable living across the city. In an era shaped by climate change, resource scarcity, and ecological imbalance, the Sheffield initiative is both timely and essential. A central focus of our work is addressing food waste, a major issue that results in the unnecessary loss of valuable resources and contributes significantly to methane emissions from landfill. Tackling this challenge is both an environmental necessity and a moral responsibility, as redistributing surplus food can provide vital support to local families and individuals. We work closely with local producers and retailers to ensure surplus food is used rather than wasted. These partnerships help businesses reduce disposal costs while delivering measurable environmental benefits for the wider community. Pickup and distribution in Sheffield are coordinated by Joseph Ukkan, who oversees volunteer scheduling, manages collections, and ensures rescued food is delivered promptly to where it is most needed. His leadership helps maintain efficiency, safety, and a strong community focus across all operations. The initiative is powered by dedicated local volunteers who collect and redistribute surplus food shortly after it becomes available. This rapid turnaround ensures freshness, removes the need for storage, and supports the highest standards of food safety and quality. Every item is carefully inspected, and any unsuitable food is disposed of responsibly to minimise environmental impact. Coordination is managed through a dedicated WhatsApp group, providing volunteers with real-time updates on collection schedules, locations, and available quantities. This efficient communication system enables fast responses and ensures the smooth operation of rescue and redistribution efforts. By diverting large quantities of food from landfill, the Food Rescue Group, Sheffield significantly reduces methane emissions and resource waste. The initiative not only supports those in immediate need but is open to anyone who recognises the importance of valuing food and preventing waste. By engaging a broad cross-section of the community, the group fosters a shared commitment to sustainability and responsible consumption. As the group continues to refine its strategies and expand local engagement, it is making meaningful progress towards a more sustainable and inclusive future. Join us in Sheffield and help make a difference, one meal, one volunteer, and one community at a time.