How businesses can donate surplus food
If you are a food businesses, event organiser or organisation anticipating a surplus of food that can be safely donated to a food project, there are a number of actions you can take.
Donate to the Surplus Food Network
The Food Partnership coordinates the Brighton & Hove Surplus Food Network, an alliance of projects working together to intercept surplus food and redistribute it to people in need.
To donate to the projects in the network, please fill out the enquiry form below with as much information as possible. We will get back to you at our earliest opportunity with advice and signposting.
Donating at weekends
Please note that we cannot always deal with your surplus (as much as we would like to!). The network is mainly run by volunteers who donate their time. We don’t answer our emails over the weekend, so if you have surplus that needs eating/collecting between Friday afternoon and Monday morning, you may want to consider donating to Sussex Homeless Support. Please post on their Facebook page the surplus you have available.
We can also advise you on donating to a local food bank, or to one of the city’s supported accommodation schemes, which can often accept perishable and ready to eat food donations outside of daytime hours. However it’s always better if you can arrange this in advance, so if you have an event please get in touch beforehand if possible.
Use food sharing apps
Cafes and restaurants could consider using an app called ‘Too Good To Go‘ which sells meals at a reduced price to people before they become surplus. Businesses can also use the OLIO app to donate their surplus.
Donate to your local community fridge
You could also think about donating to a Community Fridge – there is one at Phoenix Community Centre and one at Whitehawk Inn.
For more information on legal and food safety advice, please visit WRAP’s guidance on surplus food donation for the Hospitality Sector.
What about food waste that is no longer edible?
If you have food waste which is no longer edible, consider donating it to generate renewable energy with BHESCo when their new plant opens.
Other ways to tackle food waste
There are lots of ways businesses can reduce their food waste which both saves money and benefits the environment – see our resources for businesses on tackling food waste.