Jane Halstead
Brand & Comms Lead
We're thrilled to announce a remarkable achievement in our longstanding partnership with Marks & Spencer. Together, we've reached an incredible milestone: 100 million meals donated to local good causes across the UK over the past decade.
Since 2015, Neighbourly has worked hand-in-hand with M&S to ensure that surplus food from their stores doesn't go to waste but instead reaches those who need it most. This partnership has made a tangible difference in communities nationwide, supporting over 4.7 million individuals through more than 3,000 local charities and community organisations.
What began as an innovative approach to reducing food waste has grown into one of the UK's most successful corporate-charity partnerships, demonstrating how businesses and communities can work together for mutual benefit.
2024 has been our most impactful year yet, with over 30 million meals donated – the highest annual total in our decade-long partnership. This achievement couldn't come at a more crucial time, as more people across the UK are relying on food charities to access quality nutrition.
The environmental impact is equally significant. Together, we've prevented over 49,000 tonnes of good quality food from going to waste, contributing significantly to M&S's target of redistributing 100% of edible surplus food by 2025/26 as part of their 'Plan A' roadmap to net zero.
Behind these impressive numbers are countless stories of community support. At M&S's Clapham Junction store, for example, surplus food is donated to Ace of Clubs, a day centre providing hot meals and essential services for vulnerable and homeless people. Each day, the charity serves up to 200 people, ensuring those in need have access to nutritious meals.
Tracey Cox, Store Manager at M&S Clapham Junction, shared: "We are proud to support our local good causes ensuring essential food reaches those in need. Knowing that our surplus food is making a real difference in the community is truly rewarding."
In the next phase of our partnership, we're trialing an innovative new surplus food initiative allowing individual collectors to pick up donations to redistribute within their communities. This programme specifically supports M&S stores that don't have a full roster of regular charity partners, further closing the gap in our food redistribution network.
Already rolling out to an additional 50 stores across the UK, this initiative has enabled the redistribution of over 30,000 meals and is set to significantly increase the amount of fresh surplus food reaching those who need it most.
Lucinda Langton, Head of Sustainability at M&S Food, commented: "Since launching our partnership with Neighbourly in 2015, we've redistributed the equivalent of 100 million delicious meals for people and communities in need across the UK from surplus food from our stores. This initiative not only helps tackle food waste and supports us in reaching our Plan A goals, but also makes a real difference to those who need it most."
None of this would be possible without the dedication of thousands of M&S store colleagues, Neighbourly volunteers, and local charity partners who work tirelessly to ensure good food reaches good causes.
As Ben Fogle, Plan A Ambassador at M&S Food, puts it: "As M&S Food's Plan A Ambassador, I'm delighted that our partnership with Neighbourly is not only reducing food waste but also helping people. We really do our best to keep waste to a minimum, but when we have a little extra, it's great to know it's being shared."
As we celebrate this milestone, we invite more local charities, community groups, and volunteers to join our network. If you're interested in receiving surplus food donations or becoming a volunteer, please get in touch through our platform.
