City Harvest is a London-based charitable organization that has transformed the landscape of food redistribution and social impact in the United Kingdom. Founded in 2014, the non-profit organization is dedicated to rescuing surplus food and delivering it free of charge to communities facing food insecurity across London. By bridging the gap between food waste and hunger, City Harvest plays a pivotal role in both environmental sustainability and humanitarian aid.
Core Mission
City Harvest’s primary mission is to reduce food waste while combating hunger. The organization collects quality surplus food from manufacturers, retailers, producers, and wholesalers and redistributes it to more than 375 charities, including food banks, homeless shelters, community kitchens, and schools.
Operational Scope
Operating from its depot in Acton, West London, City Harvest has developed a sophisticated logistics system that includes:
- Daily Collection Fleet: A fleet of refrigerated vans that pick up and deliver surplus food seven days a week.
- Warehouse Facility: A central hub for sorting and redistributing perishable and ambient food.
- Charity Network: Over 375 community partners receiving free food support across 27 London boroughs.
Impact and Data-Driven Insights
City Harvest’s model is driven by measurable impact. Key figures from recent annual reports and public disclosures include:
- Meals Delivered Since Inception: Over 50 million meals (as of 2024)
- Food Rescued: More than 21,000 tonnes of surplus food
- Carbon Emissions Prevented: Over 80,000 tonnes of GHG emissions avoided
- Weekly Deliveries: Over 1 million meals delivered every month
- Economic Value Created: Estimated over £100 million worth of food redistributed free of charge
Each tonne of food rescued saves an average of 4.2 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, aligning the organization’s operations with the UK’s Net Zero goals.
Services and Activities
While City Harvest does not produce traditional products, it provides a vital service ecosystem including:
- Food Rescue and Redistribution: Core service involving logistics and delivery of rescued food
- Nutrition Education: Workshops and guidance on healthy eating for recipient organizations
- Emergency Relief Operations: Support during crises such as COVID-19 pandemic, cost-of-living emergencies, and natural disasters
- Corporate Engagement: Partnership programs for corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, volunteering, and surplus food donations
Target Beneficiaries
City Harvest’s services support a diverse demographic, including:
- Children and families in low-income areas
- Homeless individuals
- Refugees and asylum seekers
- Elderly people facing isolation
- Victims of domestic abuse
- Unemployed and underemployed individuals
Their inclusive food access approach ensures cultural appropriateness and dietary suitability for different groups.
Capabilities
- Advanced Route Optimization Software to ensure timely pickups and deliveries
- Temperature-Controlled Fleet to handle perishable goods safely
- Volunteer and Donation Portals enabling scalable public engagement
- Food Safety and Handling Compliance with FSA and HACCP guidelines
Certifications and Compliance
City Harvest adheres to rigorous standards in food safety and nonprofit accountability:
- HACCP Compliant warehouse and transport operations
- Food Standards Agency (FSA) registered
- Charity Commission Registered in England and Wales (Charity No. 1163055)
- Living Wage Employer Certification
- ISO 9001 Aligned Operational Frameworks
Recognitions and Partnerships
City Harvest has been recognized for its innovative and impactful work through several prestigious awards and collaborations:
- 2023 London Evening Standard Food Hero Award
- Partnership with DEFRA for food security projects
- Recognition by WRAP and the Mayor of London for contribution to the UK Food Waste Reduction Roadmap
- Collaboration with major food brands like Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Whole Foods, and Brakes
Testimonials
“City Harvest is more than just a food delivery service—they are a lifeline. Their support enables us to feed hundreds of vulnerable families each week.”
— Operations Lead, East London Mission
“We’ve been donating our surplus to City Harvest for 4 years now. Their professionalism and social mission are truly inspiring.”
— Sustainability Director, UK Food Manufacturer
Major Achievements
- Over 50 million meals delivered to Londoners in need
- Named one of the UK’s top food charities by multiple national publications
- Created over £100 million in economic and social value
- Developed a scalable, replicable food rescue model now studied by other UK regions
- Launched “Harvest for Hunger” campaign to increase food donations from the hospitality and retail sector
City Harvest continues to scale its mission with the belief that no good food should go to waste when people are going hungry. Through a combination of logistics, compassion, and innovation, the organization is reshaping food justice in London and beyond.