There are initiatives across the city making it easier for people and businesses to offer help through good food, volunteering time or donating surplus food or money to good food organisations in Bristol. 

Share your surplus

Despite our best efforts to reduce food waste, we can sometimes end up with surplus food in our homes. Provided it’s still good to eat, you can make sure it doesn’t go to waste by passing your unwanted food to others who want or need it.

Food banks, which provide emergency food supplies for people in crisis, are always in need of donations. Check with your local food bank to see what they can accept and whether they have any particular shortages that week. Please see our page with a list of organisations working in food poverty and food insecurity if you would like to donate to any of these organisations.

Community fridges and cupboards are food storage units left in community areas, where anyone can donate surplus food or take food if they are in need. Bristol’s first community fridge is located in St Pauls. If you’ve not got a community fridge near you, why not set one up? You could also set up a food swap table or cupboard in your local school or community centre.

If you like using apps there are some great food swapping apps that can connect you with your neighbours and community. For example, Olio allows you to post information about unwanted food so that others can collect it. Or you could use the Too Good To Go app to find reduced surplus food from nearby shops and restaurants.

Volunteering

Please see our volunteering page on the Bristol Food Network website.